Median rent is 30% lower in Milwaukee ($1,059/mo vs $1,509/mo). Buying is cheaper in Milwaukee, where the median home runs $184,000 versus $303,000. Households earn more in Fort Worth ($79,507 vs $54,234 a year). Taken together, Milwaukee is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.7 against 102.5 — about 7% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Fort Worth, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Milwaukee is 7% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.7 in Milwaukee vs 102.5 in Fort Worth (US national average = 100)
City A
Fort Worth, TX
City B
Milwaukee, WI
How much would you need to earn in Milwaukee, WI to maintain your standard of living from Fort Worth, TX?
Equivalent salary in Milwaukee, WI
$70,011
You could earn $4,989 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
Fort Worth
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Milwaukee — median rent of $1,059/mo versus $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, a 30% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Fort Worth: the median home is $303,000 versus $184,000 in Milwaukee — 39% more expensive.
Metric
Fort Worth
Milwaukee
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Fort Worth
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Milwaukee
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Milwaukee (avg AQI 22.0) but not yet for Fort Worth.
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 95.7 vs 102.5).
Pick Fort Worth if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,507/yr).
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,059/mo median).
Milwaukee is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.7 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 7% lower in Milwaukee.
Median rent is $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX and $1,059/mo in Milwaukee, WI. Milwaukee, WI has the lower rent by about 30%.
Median household income is $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX and $54,234 in Milwaukee, WI. Fort Worth, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fort Worth, TX is equivalent to roughly $93,348 in Milwaukee, WI (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
