What is the cost of living in Milwaukee, WI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Milwaukee has an overall cost of living index of 95, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Wisconsin, Milwaukee has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Wisconsin's index of 98.
The standard of living in Milwaukee ranks as #54 most affordable out of the 146 places we measured in Wisconsin. By definition, that implies Milwaukee ranks as the #92 most expensive place in the Badger State.
For more reading on life in Milwaukee, check out:
Milwaukee Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Milwaukee. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Milwaukee is 101.
The Groceries index in Milwaukee is 98.
The Health index in Milwaukee is 77.
The Housing index in Milwaukee is 102.
The Transportation index in Milwaukee is 104.
The Utilities index in Milwaukee is 103.
| Living Expense | Milwaukee | Wisconsin | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Services | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Health | 77 | 91 | 100 |
| Housing | 102 | 99 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 100 | 100 |
Milwaukee Cost Of Living Compared To Wisconsin Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Wisconsin, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Milwaukee Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Milwaukee, WI Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Wisconsin, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Milwaukee is $220,136.
The Median Rent in Milwaukee is $1,059.
The Median Income in Milwaukee is $54,234.
The Home Value To Income in Milwaukee is 4.1x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Milwaukee is 0.23x.
Milwaukee, WI Costs By Category
Detailed Milwaukee Services costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed Milwaukee Groceries costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed Milwaukee Health costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed Milwaukee Transportation costs vs. Wisconsin
Milwaukee SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Milwaukee
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Milwaukee. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
West Allis, WI has a cost of living index of 92, 1.0x Milwaukee.
Wauwatosa, WI has a cost of living index of 110, 1.2x Milwaukee.
Brookfield, WI has a cost of living index of 120, 1.3x Milwaukee.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Allis, WI | 59,612 | 92 | 1.0x |
| Wauwatosa, WI | 48,529 | 110 | 1.2x |
| Brookfield, WI | 41,273 | 120 | 1.3x |
| Menomonee Falls, WI | 39,539 | 111 | 1.2x |
| Greenfield, WI | 37,345 | 100 | 1.1x |
| Mequon, WI | 25,270 | 128 | 1.3x |
| Whitefish Bay, WI | 14,665 | 127 | 1.3x |
| Glendale, WI | 13,656 | 105 | 1.1x |
| Shorewood, WI | 13,627 | 122 | 1.3x |
| Cedarburg, WI | 12,605 | 116 | 1.2x |
