Milwaukee wins overall by ~9% (COL index)
Cost of living: Madison vs Milwaukee (2026)
A $62,000 salary in Madison buys roughly what $56,887 does in Milwaukee (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$4,418/yr
Favoring Milwaukee for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $368/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~41 months and still keep ~$44/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Madison Wisconsin | Milwaukee Wisconsin | Who wins | Your impact at $62K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,300 | $1,100Wins | Milwaukee wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Milwaukee |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,650 | $1,350Wins | Milwaukee wins −$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Milwaukee |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,200 | $1,800Wins | Milwaukee wins −$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in Milwaukee |
| Median home price | $360K | $260KWins | Milwaukee wins −$100K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 101 | 98Better | Milwaukee wins -3 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14 | $13Better | Milwaukee wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $58 | $54Better | Milwaukee wins −$4/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $62Wins | $72 | Madison wins +$10/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.20Better | $3.20 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145Better | $148 | Madison wins +$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $162Better | $168 | Madison wins +$6/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $63Better | $63 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $68KWins | $56K | Madison wins −$12K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 7.7%Better | 7.7% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 5.4%Better | 5.4% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00 | $14.00Better | Milwaukee wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $42 | $38Better | Milwaukee wins −$4/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50 | $6.00Better | Milwaukee wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 97 | 89Better | Milwaukee wins -8 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 55 | 62Better | Milwaukee wins +7 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Milwaukee fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Milwaukee.
High-yield savings
Park ~$3,600/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Madison cheaper than Milwaukee?
No. Milwaukee is 9% cheaper than Madison based on overall cost of living indices (89 vs 97, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Madison vs Milwaukee?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Madison is $1,650/month and in Milwaukee is $1,350/month. Madison is more expensive by 22%.
How much do I need to earn in Milwaukee to match a $75,000 salary in Madison?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $68,814/year in Milwaukee to match a $75,000 salary in Madison. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Madison or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee has the lower state income tax rate at 7.7% vs 7.7%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Madison to Milwaukee?
It depends on your priorities. Milwaukee offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Madison ↔ Milwaukee
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