Median rent is 29% lower in Milwaukee ($1,059/mo vs $1,487/mo). Buying is cheaper in Milwaukee, where the median home runs $184,000 versus $374,400. Households earn more in Worcester ($70,102 vs $54,234 a year). Taken together, Worcester is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.4 against 95.7 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Worcester, MA.
City A
Milwaukee, WI
City B
Worcester, MA
How much would you need to earn in Worcester, MA to maintain your standard of living from Milwaukee, WI?
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$74,820
You could earn $180 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
Worcester
Massachusetts
👥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 $1,059/mo versus $1,487/mo in Worcester, a 29% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Worcester: the median home is $374,400 versus $184,000 in Milwaukee — 51% more expensive.
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
Worcester
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Milwaukee has cleaner air on average: 22.0 AQI (Good) compared to 29.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Worcester if you prioritize higher median household income ($70,102/yr).
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,059/mo median).
Pick Milwaukee if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 22.0).
Is Milwaukee cheaper than Worcester?
Worcester is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.4 versus 95.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Worcester.
How much is rent in Milwaukee vs Worcester?
Median rent is $1,059/mo in Milwaukee, WI and $1,487/mo in Worcester, MA. Milwaukee, WI has the lower rent by about 29%.
Which has higher salaries — Milwaukee or Worcester?
Median household income is $54,234 in Milwaukee, WI and $70,102 in Worcester, MA. Worcester, MA 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 29.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Milwaukee or Worcester?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Worcester to match my Milwaukee income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Milwaukee, WI is equivalent to roughly $99,760 in Worcester, MA (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
