Median rent is 20% lower in Milwaukee ($1,059/mo vs $1,331/mo). Buying is cheaper in Milwaukee, where the median home runs $184,000 versus $229,600. Households earn more in Baltimore ($62,177 vs $54,234 a year). Taken together, Milwaukee is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.7 against 103.2 — about 7% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Baltimore, MD.
Cost of living verdict
Milwaukee is 7% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.7 in Milwaukee vs 103.2 in Baltimore (US national average = 100)
City A
Baltimore, MD
City B
Milwaukee, WI
How much would you need to earn in Milwaukee, WI to maintain your standard of living from Baltimore, MD?
Equivalent salary in Milwaukee, WI
$69,540
You could earn $5,460 less (7% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Baltimore
Maryland
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Milwaukee at $1,059/mo compared to $1,331/mo in Baltimore (20% gap). Median home values are within 20% of each other: $229,600 in Baltimore and $184,000 in Milwaukee.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Baltimore
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Milwaukee
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Milwaukee has cleaner air on average: 22.0 AQI (Good) compared to 25.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 95.7 vs 103.2).
Pick Baltimore if you prioritize higher median household income ($62,177/yr).
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,059/mo median).
Is Baltimore cheaper than Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.7 versus 103.2 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 7% lower in Milwaukee.
How much is rent in Baltimore vs Milwaukee?
Median rent is $1,331/mo in Baltimore, MD and $1,059/mo in Milwaukee, WI. Milwaukee, WI has the lower rent by about 20%.
Which has higher salaries — Baltimore or Milwaukee?
Median household income is $62,177 in Baltimore, MD and $54,234 in Milwaukee, WI. Baltimore, MD has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Milwaukee, WI has better air quality on average: 22.0 AQI versus 25.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Baltimore or Milwaukee?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Milwaukee to match my Baltimore income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Baltimore, MD is equivalent to roughly $92,720 in Milwaukee, WI (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
