Median rent is 27% lower in Milwaukee ($1,059/mo vs $1,446/mo). Buying is cheaper in Milwaukee, where the median home runs $184,000 versus $484,800. Households earn more in Boise City ($83,904 vs $54,234 a year). Taken together, Boise City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 89.4 against 95.7 — about 7% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Boise City, ID.
Cost of living verdict
Boise City is 7% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 89.4 in Boise City vs 95.7 in Milwaukee (US national average = 100)
City A
Boise City, ID
City B
Milwaukee, WI
How much would you need to earn in Milwaukee, WI to maintain your standard of living from Boise City, ID?
Equivalent salary in Milwaukee, WI
$80,303
You'd need $5,303 more (7% higher).
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
Boise City
Idaho
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Milwaukee — median rent of $1,059/mo versus $1,446/mo in Boise City, a 27% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Boise City: the median home is $484,800 versus $184,000 in Milwaukee — 62% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Boise City
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 36.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Boise City if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 89.4 vs 95.7).
Pick Boise City if you prioritize higher median household income ($83,904/yr).
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,059/mo median).
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 22.0).
Is Boise City cheaper than Milwaukee?
Boise City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 89.4 versus 95.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 7% lower in Boise City.
How much is rent in Boise City vs Milwaukee?
Median rent is $1,446/mo in Boise City, ID and $1,059/mo in Milwaukee, WI. Milwaukee, WI has the lower rent by about 27%.
Which has higher salaries — Boise City or Milwaukee?
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise City, ID and $54,234 in Milwaukee, WI. Boise City, ID 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 36.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Boise City or Milwaukee?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Milwaukee to match my Boise City income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Boise City, ID is equivalent to roughly $107,071 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
