Median rent is 13% lower in Milwaukee ($1,059/mo vs $1,219/mo). Buying is cheaper in Milwaukee, where the median home runs $184,000 versus $315,500. Households earn more in Waukesha ($83,837 vs $54,234 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (95.7).
City A
Milwaukee, WI
City B
Waukesha, WI
How much would you need to earn in Waukesha, WI to maintain your standard of living from Milwaukee, WI?
Equivalent salary in Waukesha, WI
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
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
Waukesha
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Milwaukee at $1,059/mo compared to $1,219/mo in Waukesha (13% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Waukesha: the median home is $315,500 versus $184,000 in Milwaukee — 42% more expensive.
Metric
Milwaukee
Waukesha
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.
Milwaukee
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Waukesha
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Milwaukee (avg AQI 22.0) but not yet for Waukesha.
Pick Waukesha if you prioritize higher median household income ($83,837/yr).
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,059/mo median).
Milwaukee is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.7 versus 95.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Milwaukee.
Median rent is $1,059/mo in Milwaukee, WI and $1,219/mo in Waukesha, WI. Milwaukee, WI has the lower rent by about 13%.
Median household income is $54,234 in Milwaukee, WI and $83,837 in Waukesha, WI. Waukesha, WI has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Milwaukee, WI is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Waukesha, 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
