Median rent is 42% lower in Milwaukee ($1,033/mo vs $1,781/mo). Buying is cheaper in Milwaukee, where the median home runs $172,000 versus $327,700. Households earn more in Port St. Lucie ($78,137 vs $51,888 a year). Taken together, Port St. Lucie is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.9 against 95.1 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Port St. Lucie, FL.
City A
Milwaukee, WI
City B
Port St. Lucie, FL
How much would you need to earn in Port St. Lucie, FL to maintain your standard of living from Milwaukee, WI?
Equivalent salary in Port St. Lucie, FL
$74,834
You could earn $166 less (0% 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
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
Port St. Lucie
Florida
👥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 $1,781/mo in Port St. Lucie, a 42% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Port St. Lucie: the median home is $327,700 versus $172,000 in Milwaukee — 48% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Florida has no state income tax, while Wisconsin tops out at 7.65% — giving Port St. Lucie a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 5.00% in Wisconsin and 6.00% in Florida; Milwaukee has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Milwaukee
Income tax: 7.65%
Sales tax: 5.00%
Port St. Lucie
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Milwaukee has cleaner air on average: 6.0 AQI (Good) compared to 22.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Port St. Lucie if you prioritize higher median household income ($78,137/yr).
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,033/mo median).
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 6.0).
Pick Port St. Lucie if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Milwaukee cheaper than Port St. Lucie?
Port St. Lucie is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.9 versus 95.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Port St. Lucie.
How much is rent in Milwaukee vs Port St. Lucie?
Median rent is $1,033/mo in Milwaukee, WI and $1,781/mo in Port St. Lucie, FL. Milwaukee, WI has the lower rent by about 42%.
Which has higher salaries — Milwaukee or Port St. Lucie?
Median household income is $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI and $78,137 in Port St. Lucie, FL. Port St. Lucie, FL 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 22.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Milwaukee or Port St. Lucie?
Florida has no state income tax. Wisconsin has a top rate of 7.65%.
What salary do I need in Port St. Lucie to match my Milwaukee income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Milwaukee, WI is equivalent to roughly $99,778 in Port St. Lucie, FL (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