Median rent is 1% lower in Milwaukee ($1,059/mo vs $1,073/mo). Buying is cheaper in Milwaukee, where the median home runs $184,000 versus $184,500. Households earn more in El Paso ($59,745 vs $54,234 a year). Taken together, Milwaukee is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.7 against 97.3 — about 2% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in El Paso, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Milwaukee is 2% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.7 in Milwaukee vs 97.3 in El Paso (US national average = 100)
City A
El Paso, TX
City B
Milwaukee, WI
How much would you need to earn in Milwaukee, WI to maintain your standard of living from El Paso, TX?
Equivalent salary in Milwaukee, WI
$73,710
You could earn $1,290 less (2% 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
El Paso
Texas
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,073/mo in El Paso and $1,059/mo in Milwaukee. Median home values are within 0% of each other: $184,500 in El Paso 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.
El Paso
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 El Paso if you prioritize higher median household income ($59,745/yr).
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 22.0).
Is El Paso cheaper than Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.7 versus 97.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in Milwaukee.
How much is rent in El Paso vs Milwaukee?
Median rent is $1,073/mo in El Paso, TX and $1,059/mo in Milwaukee, WI. Milwaukee, WI has the lower rent by about 1%.
Which has higher salaries — El Paso or Milwaukee?
Median household income is $59,745 in El Paso, TX and $54,234 in Milwaukee, WI. El Paso, TX 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 — El Paso or Milwaukee?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Milwaukee to match my El Paso income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in El Paso, TX is equivalent to roughly $98,279 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
