Median rent is 6% lower in St. Louis ($997/mo vs $1,059/mo). Buying is cheaper in Milwaukee, where the median home runs $184,000 versus $197,500. Households earn more in St. Louis ($56,160 vs $54,234 a year). Taken together, St. Louis is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.0 against 95.7 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in St. Louis, MO.
Cost of living verdict
St. Louis is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.0 in St. Louis vs 95.7 in Milwaukee (US national average = 100)
City A
Milwaukee, WI
City B
St. Louis, MO
How much would you need to earn in St. Louis, MO to maintain your standard of living from Milwaukee, WI?
Equivalent salary in St. Louis, MO
$74,452
You could earn $548 less (1% 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
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
St. Louis
Missouri
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 St. Louis at $997/mo compared to $1,059/mo in Milwaukee (6% gap). Median home values are within 7% of each other: $184,000 in Milwaukee and $197,500 in St. Louis.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Milwaukee
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Louis
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Milwaukee has cleaner air on average: 22.0 AQI (Good) compared to 33.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 22.0).
Is Milwaukee cheaper than St. Louis?
St. Louis is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.0 versus 95.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in St. Louis.
How much is rent in Milwaukee vs St. Louis?
Median rent is $1,059/mo in Milwaukee, WI and $997/mo in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis, MO has the lower rent by about 6%.
Which has higher salaries — Milwaukee or St. Louis?
Median household income is $54,234 in Milwaukee, WI and $56,160 in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis, 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 33.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Milwaukee or St. Louis?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in St. Louis to match my Milwaukee income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Milwaukee, WI is equivalent to roughly $99,269 in St. Louis, MO (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
