Cost of living in Milwaukee

In Milwaukee, United States, a family of four typically needs around $4963 per month including rent. A single person may spend about $2065 monthly.

How expensive is Milwaukee compared to other cities?

Overall living costs in Milwaukee are 45% more expensive than the European benchmark.

How does Milwaukee compare to your city?

Milwaukee is 39% cheaper than New York City, without rent.

Rent in Milwaukee is, on average, 54% lower than in New York City.

What drives the cost of living in Milwaukee?

Who is Milwaukee a good fit for?

Milwaukee is a better match for people who prioritize lifestyle benefits and can afford the premium driven by rent & utilities and transport. For most moderate-income households, housing costs are the main barrier.

FAQ

Why is Milwaukee so expensive?

The high cost of living in Milwaukee is primarily driven by elevated rent and utilities, which significantly impact overall expenses.

Is food expensive in Milwaukee?

Yes, food costs are 22% higher compared to the European benchmark, contributing to the overall expense.

Is public transport affordable in Milwaukee?

Public transport is 55% higher than the European benchmark, making it a considerable expense for residents.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
2065 $
Without Rent
872 $
Rent & Utilities
1193 $
Food
579 $
Transport
116 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
3947 $
GDP per Capita
81,695 $
Freedom Index
8.39
Lifespan
77 years
Speak English
96%
Population
577.0K

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Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 16.7 $
Dinner 60.6 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 9.74 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 5.11 $
Capuccino 5.1 $
Coke, 330ml 2.49 $

Compare Milwaukee with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 0.85 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.65 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.65 $
Eggs, 12 pack 3.53 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 10.4 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 11.2 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 14.1 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.61 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.78 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.81 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.3 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.28 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.44 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.82 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.47 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 15.1 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.59 $
Cigarette pack 10 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 2 $
Monthly Pass 74.5 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 0.91 $
Taxi, 8 km 15 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 164 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 9.34 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 4.36 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 3.52 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 1.85 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 104 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 162 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 55 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 967 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,482 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,303 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,324 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 1,695 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 1,439 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 3,947 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.57%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 52.7 $
Cinema, 1 seat 13.2 $
Haircut 16.9 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 85.6 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 52.3 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,808 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 24,309 $

Compare Milwaukee with other top cities

Cayman Islands
Milwaukee vs George Town (George Town is 76% more expensive)
Bahamas
Milwaukee vs Nassau (Nassau is 33% more expensive) Milwaukee vs Freeport (Freeport is 6% more expensive)
Vanuatu
Milwaukee vs Port Vila (Port Vila is 14% more expensive) Milwaukee vs Luganville (Luganville is 48% more expensive)
United States
Milwaukee vs New York City (New York City is 96% more expensive) Milwaukee vs Los Angeles (Los Angeles is 54% more expensive) Milwaukee vs Chicago (Chicago is 29% more expensive) Milwaukee vs Houston (Houston is 9% more expensive) Milwaukee vs Phoenix (Phoenix is 15% more expensive) Milwaukee vs Philadelphia (Philadelphia is 23% more expensive) Milwaukee vs San Antonio (San Antonio is 6% more expensive) Milwaukee vs San Diego (San Diego is 62% more expensive) Milwaukee vs Dallas (Dallas is 23% more expensive) Milwaukee vs San Jose (San Jose is 78% more expensive)
Canada
Milwaukee vs Toronto (Toronto is 25% more expensive) Milwaukee vs Montreal (Montreal is 5% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Calgary (Calgary is 4% more expensive) Milwaukee vs Ottawa (Ottawa is 8% more expensive) Milwaukee vs Edmonton (Edmonton is 14% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Winnipeg (Winnipeg is 15% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Mississauga (Mississauga is 20% more expensive) Milwaukee vs Vancouver (Vancouver is 28% more expensive) Milwaukee vs Brampton (Brampton is 3% more expensive) Milwaukee vs Hamilton (Hamilton is 4% more expensive)
Barbados
Milwaukee vs Bridgetown (Bridgetown is 34% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Holetown (Holetown is 33% less expensive)
Panama
Milwaukee vs Panama City (Panama City is 33% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Colon (Colon is 43% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Tocumen (Tocumen is 40% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Santiago de Veraguas (Santiago de Veraguas is 49% less expensive) Milwaukee vs David (David is 60% less expensive) Milwaukee vs La Chorrera (La Chorrera is 54% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Balboa (Balboa is 40% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Pacora (Pacora is 40% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Chitre (Chitre is 47% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Penonome (Penonome is 47% less expensive)
Saint Kitts And Nevis
Milwaukee vs Basseterre (Basseterre is 40% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Cayon (Cayon is 40% less expensive)
Cuba
Milwaukee vs Havana (Havana is 50% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Santiago de Cuba (Santiago de Cuba is 31% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Holguin (Holguin is 38% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Camaguey (Camaguey is 26% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Santa Clara (Santa Clara is 49% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Bayamo (Bayamo is 44% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Guantanamo (Guantanamo is 25% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Las Tunas (Las Tunas is 25% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Pinar del Rio (Pinar del Rio is 47% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Cienfuegos (Cienfuegos is 57% less expensive)
Costa Rica
Milwaukee vs San Jose (San Jose is 40% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Limon (Limon is 42% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Liberia (Liberia is 57% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Alajuela (Alajuela is 40% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Puntarenas (Puntarenas is 38% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Cartago (Cartago is 53% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Heredia (Heredia is 40% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Tamarindo (Tamarindo is 18% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Santa Teresa (Santa Teresa is 37% less expensive)
Saint Lucia
Milwaukee vs Castries (Castries is 44% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Vieux Fort (Vieux Fort is 42% less expensive)
Jamaica
Milwaukee vs Kingston (Kingston is 36% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Spanish Town (Spanish Town is 62% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Montego Bay (Montego Bay is 51% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Half Way Tree (Half Way Tree is 44% less expensive) Milwaukee vs May Pen (May Pen is 60% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Mandeville (Mandeville is 53% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Old Harbour (Old Harbour is 59% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Linstead (Linstead is 49% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Savanna-la-Mar (Savanna-la-Mar is 46% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Port Antonio (Port Antonio is 45% less expensive)
El Salvador
Milwaukee vs San Salvador (San Salvador is 42% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Santa Ana (Santa Ana is 66% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Soyapango (Soyapango is 43% less expensive) Milwaukee vs San Miguel (San Miguel is 48% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Mejicanos (Mejicanos is 44% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Apopa (Apopa is 45% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Santa Tecla (Santa Tecla is 42% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Ahuachapan (Ahuachapan is 30% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Usulutan (Usulutan is 47% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Sonsonate (Sonsonate is 57% less expensive)
Antigua And Barbuda
Milwaukee vs St. John's (St. John's is 48% less expensive) Milwaukee vs All Saints (All Saints is 48% less expensive)
Grenada
Milwaukee vs St. George's (St. George's is 48% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Grenville (Grenville is 49% less expensive)
Dominica
Milwaukee vs Roseau (Roseau is 51% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Portsmouth (Portsmouth is 45% less expensive)
Saint Vincent
Milwaukee vs Kingstown (Kingstown is 52% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Georgetown (Georgetown is 51% less expensive)
Belize
Milwaukee vs Belize City (Belize City is 58% less expensive) Milwaukee vs San Ignacio (San Ignacio is 47% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Belmopan (Belmopan is 65% less expensive) Milwaukee vs San Pedro Town (San Pedro Town is 35% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Caye Caulker (Caye Caulker is 24% less expensive)
Guatemala
Milwaukee vs Guatemala City (Guatemala City is 51% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Mixco (Mixco is 69% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Coban (Coban is 56% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Quetzaltenango (Quetzaltenango is 62% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Jalapa (Jalapa is 56% less expensive) Milwaukee vs San Miguel Petapa (San Miguel Petapa is 56% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Momostenango (Momostenango is 58% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Mazatenango (Mazatenango is 58% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Flores (Flores is 58% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Panajachel (Panajachel is 62% less expensive)
Honduras
Milwaukee vs Tegucigalpa (Tegucigalpa is 60% less expensive) Milwaukee vs San Pedro Sula (San Pedro Sula is 50% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Choloma (Choloma is 71% less expensive) Milwaukee vs La Ceiba (La Ceiba is 69% less expensive) Milwaukee vs El Progreso (El Progreso is 57% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Villanueva (Villanueva is 58% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Comayagua (Comayagua is 65% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Puerto Cortes (Puerto Cortes is 65% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Yoro (Yoro is 64% less expensive) Milwaukee vs La Lima (La Lima is 58% less expensive)
Dominican Republic
Milwaukee vs Santiago de los Caballeros (Santiago de los Caballeros is 62% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo is 49% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Puerto Plata (Puerto Plata is 63% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Higuey (Higuey is 63% less expensive) Milwaukee vs La Vega (La Vega is 72% less expensive) Milwaukee vs San Cristobal (San Cristobal is 60% less expensive) Milwaukee vs San Pedro de Macoris (San Pedro de Macoris is 65% less expensive) Milwaukee vs San Francisco de Macoris (San Francisco de Macoris is 74% less expensive) Milwaukee vs San Juan de la Maguana (San Juan de la Maguana is 70% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Bonao (Bonao is 74% less expensive)
Nicaragua
Milwaukee vs Managua (Managua is 63% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Leon (Leon is 69% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Masaya (Masaya is 66% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Matagalpa (Matagalpa is 73% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Chinandega (Chinandega is 69% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Esteli (Esteli is 71% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Granada (Granada is 66% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Jinotega (Jinotega is 78% less expensive) Milwaukee vs Juigalpa (Juigalpa is 68% less expensive) Milwaukee vs San Juan del Sur (San Juan del Sur is 57% less expensive)