| Index | South Milwaukee | Wisconsin | National |
| Cost of living | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 93 | 89 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 93 | 98 | 100 |

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in South Milwaukee? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in South Milwaukee stands at 96, making it 4% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in South Milwaukee closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of South Milwaukee can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is South 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 South Milwaukee, the median home price is 7.6% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 6.7% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with South Milwaukee boasting a median household income of $84,169, 3.5% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In South Milwaukee, healthcare costs are 3% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In South Milwaukee, the utilities index stands at 0.9% lower than the national average.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In South Milwaukee, the transportation index is 0% equal to the national average.
The South Milwaukee cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| 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 | $115,776 | $9,648 | $2,701 | $3,474 |
| Renters | $54,012 | $4,501 | $1,260 | $1,621 |
| 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. |
| Racine, WI | 79,849 | 90 | 9.7% |
| Milwaukee, WI | 605,531 | 93 | 7.2% |
| West Milwaukee, WI | 4,258 | 92 | 8.3% |
| St. Francis, WI | 9,923 | 95 | 4.9% |
| West Allis, WI | 61,432 | 93 | 6.8% |
| South Milwaukee, WI | 21,661 | 96 | 3.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| DeBary, FL | 21,665 | 109 | 9.4% |
| Battle Ground, WA | 21,669 | 125 | 25.2% |
| Sweetwater, FL | 21,673 | 107 | 6.9% |
| Lakeside, CA | 21,636 | 146 | 45.9% |
| Florida Ridge, FL | 21,634 | 102 | 1.8% |
| South Milwaukee, WI | 21,661 | 96 | 3.9% |