Median rent is 24% lower in Milwaukee ($1,033/mo vs $1,364/mo). Buying is cheaper in Milwaukee, where the median home runs $172,000 versus $346,900. Households earn more in Madison ($76,983 vs $51,888 a year).
City A
Madison, WI
City B
Milwaukee, WI
How much would you need to earn in Milwaukee, WI to maintain your standard of living from Madison, WI?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
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
Madison
Wisconsin
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 $1,364/mo in Madison, a 24% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Madison: the median home is $346,900 versus $172,000 in Milwaukee — 50% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Wisconsin's top income tax rate is 7.65% versus 7.65% in Wisconsin, so Milwaukee is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 5.00% in Wisconsin and 5.00% in Wisconsin; Milwaukee has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Madison
Income tax: 7.65%
Sales tax: 5.00%
Milwaukee
Income tax: 7.65%
Sales tax: 5.00%
Milwaukee has cleaner air on average: 6.0 AQI (Good) compared to 10.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Madison if you prioritize higher median household income ($76,983/yr).
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,033/mo median).
Is Madison cheaper than Milwaukee?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Madison vs Milwaukee?
Median rent is $1,364/mo in Madison, WI and $1,033/mo in Milwaukee, WI. Milwaukee, WI has the lower rent by about 24%.
Which has higher salaries — Madison or Milwaukee?
Median household income is $76,983 in Madison, WI and $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI. Madison, WI 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 10.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Madison or Milwaukee?
Wisconsin's top income tax rate is 7.65% and Wisconsin's is 7.65%. Milwaukee, WI has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Milwaukee to match my Madison income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology