Median rent is 14% lower in Milwaukee ($1,059/mo vs $1,238/mo). Buying is cheaper in Milwaukee, where the median home runs $184,000 versus $242,900. Households earn more in Kansas City ($69,166 vs $54,234 a year). Taken together, Kansas City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 93.2 against 95.7 — about 3% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Kansas City, MO.
Cost of living verdict
Kansas City is 3% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 93.2 in Kansas City vs 95.7 in Milwaukee (US national average = 100)
City A
Kansas City, MO
City B
Milwaukee, WI
How much would you need to earn in Milwaukee, WI to maintain your standard of living from Kansas City, MO?
Equivalent salary in Milwaukee, WI
$76,987
You'd need $1,987 more (3% 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
Kansas City
Missouri
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 $1,238/mo in Kansas City (14% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Kansas City: the median home is $242,900 versus $184,000 in Milwaukee — 24% 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.
Kansas 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 57.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Kansas City if you prioritize higher median household income ($69,166/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 Kansas City cheaper than Milwaukee?
Kansas City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 93.2 versus 95.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in Kansas City.
How much is rent in Kansas City vs Milwaukee?
Median rent is $1,238/mo in Kansas City, MO and $1,059/mo in Milwaukee, WI. Milwaukee, WI has the lower rent by about 14%.
Which has higher salaries — Kansas City or Milwaukee?
Median household income is $69,166 in Kansas City, MO and $54,234 in Milwaukee, WI. Kansas City, MO 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 57.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Kansas 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 Kansas City income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Kansas City, MO is equivalent to roughly $102,649 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
