Median rent is 45% lower in Milwaukee ($1,033/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Milwaukee, where the median home runs $172,000 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($80,366 vs $51,888 a year). Taken together, Milwaukee is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.1 against 113.3 — about 16% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Los Angeles, CA.
Quick verdict
Milwaukee is 16% cheaper overall
Cost index: 95.1 in Milwaukee vs 113.3 in Los Angeles (US 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
$62,962
You could earn $12,038 less (16% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Milwaukee — median rent of $1,033/mo versus $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, a 45% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $172,000 in Milwaukee — 80% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% versus 7.65% in Wisconsin, so Milwaukee is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 5.00% in Wisconsin; Milwaukee has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Milwaukee
Income tax: 7.65%
Sales tax: 5.00%
Milwaukee has cleaner air on average: 6.0 AQI (Good) compared to 77.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 95.1 vs 113.3).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,366/yr).
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,033/mo median).
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 6.0).
Is Los Angeles cheaper than Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.1 versus 113.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 16% lower in Milwaukee.
How much is rent in Los Angeles vs Milwaukee?
Median rent is $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,033/mo in Milwaukee, WI. Milwaukee, WI has the lower rent by about 45%.
Which has higher salaries — Los Angeles or Milwaukee?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA and $51,888 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.
Which city has better air quality?
Milwaukee, WI has better air quality on average: 6.0 AQI versus 77.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Los Angeles or Milwaukee?
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% and Wisconsin's is 7.65%. Milwaukee, WI has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Milwaukee to match my Los Angeles income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $83,950 in Milwaukee, WI (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology