| Index | Milwaukee | Wisconsin | National |
| Cost of living | 93 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 77 | 89 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 98 | 100 |
The cost of living in Milwaukee affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Milwaukee is 93, which is 7% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in Milwaukee aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Milwaukee residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 19 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Milwaukee and this is how they responded. 47% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 53% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Milwaukee affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Milwaukee, the median home price is 28.9% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 10% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Milwaukee boasting a median household income of $63,592, 21.8% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Milwaukee comes in at 2.4% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Milwaukee, healthcare costs are 0.3% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Milwaukee are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $99,607 | $8,301 | $2,324 | $2,989 |
| Renters | $46,551 | $3,879 | $1,086 | $1,397 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Wisconsin | 5% | 6.75% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Wisconsin | 3.54% | 7.65% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| West Milwaukee, WI | 4,258 | 92 | 8.3% |
| Lannon, WI | 1,221 | 94 | 6.0% |
| St. Francis, WI | 9,923 | 95 | 4.9% |
| West Allis, WI | 61,432 | 93 | 6.8% |
| Cudahy, WI | 18,834 | 94 | 5.6% |
| Milwaukee, WI | 605,531 | 93 | 7.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Baltimore, MD | 621,744 | 108 | 7.9% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 579,406 | 101 | 1.0% |
| Louisville, KY | 639,172 | 96 | 4.3% |
| Tucson, AZ | 564,632 | 100 | 0.3% |
| Surrey, BC | 560,150 | n/a | |
| Milwaukee, WI | 605,531 | 93 | 7.2% |
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