| Index | West Allis | Wisconsin | National |
| Cost of living | 93 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 84 | 89 | 100 |
| Transportation | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 100 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 93 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 98 | 100 |

The cost of living in West Allis 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 West Allis 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.
In West Allis, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in West Allis will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 7 locals to get their views on the cost of living in West Allis. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 43% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 57% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is West Allis affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take West Allis, for instance, where the median home price falls 17.8% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 10.4% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with West Allis flaunting a median household income of $79,884, 1.8% lower than the national norm.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In West Allis, the housing index is 15.6% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In West Allis, the general sales tax rate starts at 5%, and income tax rates begin at 3.54%.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In West Allis, the transportation index stands at 4.7% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for West Allis shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between 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 | $103,649 | $8,637 | $2,418 | $3,110 |
| Renters | $56,992 | $4,749 | $1,330 | $1,710 |
| 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. |
| Milwaukee, WI | 605,531 | 93 | 7.2% |
| West Milwaukee, WI | 4,258 | 92 | 8.3% |
| Lannon, WI | 1,221 | 94 | 6.0% |
| St. Francis, WI | 9,923 | 95 | 4.9% |
| Cudahy, WI | 18,834 | 94 | 5.6% |
| West Allis, WI | 61,432 | 93 | 6.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bartlett, TN | 61,391 | 104 | 3.8% |
| San Rafael, CA | 61,485 | 213 | 112.7% |
| Royal Oak, MI | 61,485 | 106 | 6.0% |
| Taylorsville, UT | 61,503 | 111 | 11.5% |
| Ocala, FL | 61,352 | 98 | 1.6% |
| West Allis, WI | 61,432 | 93 | 6.8% |