What is the cost of living in South Milwaukee, WI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, South Milwaukee has an overall cost of living index of 94, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Wisconsin, South Milwaukee has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Wisconsin's index of 98.
The standard of living in South Milwaukee ranks as #45 most affordable out of the 146 places we measured in Wisconsin. By definition, that implies South Milwaukee ranks as the #101 most expensive place in the Badger State.
For more reading on life in South Milwaukee, check out:
South Milwaukee Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in South Milwaukee. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in South Milwaukee is 101.
The Groceries index in South Milwaukee is 96.
The Health index in South Milwaukee is 94.
The Housing index in South Milwaukee is 101.
The Transportation index in South Milwaukee is 100.
The Utilities index in South Milwaukee is 98.
| Living Expense | South Milwaukee | Wisconsin | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 94 | 98 | 100 |
| Services | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 100 | 100 |
| Health | 94 | 91 | 100 |
| Housing | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 100 | 100 |
South 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 South Milwaukee Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
South 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 South Milwaukee is $300,411.
The Median Rent in South Milwaukee is $1,014.
The Median Income in South Milwaukee is $73,427.
The Home Value To Income in South Milwaukee is 4.1x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in South Milwaukee is 0.17x.
| Statistic | South Milwaukee | Wisconsin | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $300,411 | $330,171 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,014 | $1,087 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $73,427 | $77,485 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.1x | 4.3x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.17x | 0.17x | 0.21x |
South Milwaukee, WI Costs By Category
Detailed South Milwaukee Services costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | South Milwaukee | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.07 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $10.26 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $10.03 | $18 |
| Haircut | $20.21 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $33.25 | $45.56 |
Detailed South Milwaukee Groceries costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | South Milwaukee | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $6.05 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.46 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.55 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.1 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $11.33 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $8.52 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.66 | $3.7 |
Detailed South Milwaukee Health costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | South Milwaukee | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $278.65 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $223.73 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $106.79 | $113.29 |
Detailed South Milwaukee Transportation costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | South Milwaukee | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.3 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $44.14 | $59.92 |
Detailed South Milwaukee Utilities costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | South Milwaukee | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $182.69 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $185.79 | $192.25 |
South Milwaukee SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around South Milwaukee
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around South Milwaukee. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Wauwatosa, WI has a cost of living index of 110, 1.2x South Milwaukee.
Brookfield, WI has a cost of living index of 120, 1.3x South Milwaukee.
New Berlin, WI has a cost of living index of 111, 1.2x South Milwaukee.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. South Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wauwatosa, WI | 48,529 | 110 | 1.2x |
| Brookfield, WI | 41,273 | 120 | 1.3x |
| New Berlin, WI | 40,270 | 111 | 1.2x |
| Greenfield, WI | 37,345 | 100 | 1.1x |
| Oak Creek, WI | 37,325 | 105 | 1.1x |
| Franklin, WI | 35,886 | 110 | 1.2x |
| Muskego, WI | 25,406 | 116 | 1.2x |
| Caledonia, WI | 25,257 | 100 | 1.1x |
| Cudahy, WI | 17,853 | 92 | 1.0x |
| Whitefish Bay, WI | 14,665 | 127 | 1.4x |
