Median rent is 45% lower in Milwaukee ($1,059/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Milwaukee, where the median home runs $184,000 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $54,234 a year). Taken together, Milwaukee is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.7 against 114.7 — about 17% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Los Angeles, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Milwaukee is 17% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.7 in Milwaukee vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Milwaukee, WI
How much would you need to earn in Milwaukee, WI to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in Milwaukee, WI
$62,531
You could earn $12,469 less (17% 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
Los Angeles
California
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 $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 45% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $184,000 in Milwaukee — 80% more expensive.
Metric
Los Angeles
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.
Los Angeles
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 31.0 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 114.7).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,939/yr).
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,059/mo median).
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 22.0).
Milwaukee is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.7 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 17% lower in Milwaukee.
Median rent is $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,059/mo in Milwaukee, WI. Milwaukee, WI has the lower rent by about 45%.
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA and $54,234 in Milwaukee, WI. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Milwaukee, WI has better air quality on average: 22.0 AQI versus 31.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $83,375 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
