Milwaukee, Wisconsin has an overall cost of living index of 95.7, which is 4.3 points below the US average of 100 — making it more affordable than most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,059 per month, while the typical home is valued around $184,000. Households earn a median of $54,234 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is good, with an average AQI of 22. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$54,234
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,059
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$184,000
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
95.7
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,027
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,119
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,338
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$1,648
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
95.7
Goods
93.8
Rents / Housing
94.0
Services
91.4
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $114,100 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $91,040 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $70,320 |
| ⚡Electrician | $74,520 |
| 📊Accountant | $90,070 |
| 🔧Plumber | $86,970 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $239,970 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $98,170 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $141,590 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $76,870 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $154,460 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $58,540 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | $99,870 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
566,973
Latest estimate
Median Age
32.4 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
22.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
N/A
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,068
Per month
Avg Home Value
$239,280
Census ACS
January Avg
23°F
July Avg
73°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Continental · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
31.0
poor
Hospitals
8
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
90.9%
What is the cost of living index for Milwaukee?
Milwaukee has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 95.7. The US national average is 100, so Milwaukee is 4.3 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in Milwaukee?
The median gross rent in Milwaukee is $1,059 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Milwaukee?
The median household income in Milwaukee is $54,234 per year.
What is the median home value in Milwaukee?
The median home value in Milwaukee is $184,000 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Milwaukee?
Milwaukee has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 22.0, which is rated "Good" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Milwaukee?
Tax data for Wisconsin is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
