Cost of living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee County, WI
Part of the Milwaukee Metro Area
Population 927,656 · Last updated May 21, 2026
Cost breakdown
Single person, by category, per month.
Rent in Milwaukee
Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.
Source: HUD FMR FY2025
Income and earnings in Milwaukee
Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.
Home values in Milwaukee
Average values reported by homeowners.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
Energy costs in Milwaukee
Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.
Source: EIA
Healthcare in Milwaukee
Insurance premiums and coverage rates.
Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.
Taxes in Milwaukee
State and local tax rates for Wisconsin.
Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.
Transportation in Milwaukee
Commute patterns and estimated costs.
Source: ACS
Monthly cost estimates for Milwaukee
What it costs to live in Milwaukee each month.
- Rent $1,056
- Energy $179
- Water $50
- Groceries $329
- Transport $320
- Healthcare $480
- Federal tax $532
- State tax $156
- Rent $1,257
- Energy $215
- Water $60
- Groceries $545
- Transport $420
- Healthcare $864
- Federal tax $687
- State tax $242
- Rent $1,558
- Energy $268
- Water $70
- Groceries $827
- Transport $520
- Healthcare $1,350
- Childcare $1,200
- Federal tax $687
- State tax $242
Frequently asked questions about Milwaukee
Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.
What is the average rent in Milwaukee?
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,056 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,257 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,558 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.
What is the average salary in Milwaukee?
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the average household income is $62,118 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $42,604 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
What is the cost of living in Milwaukee?
The estimated cost of living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is approximately $3,102 per month for a single person, $4,290 for a couple, $6,722 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
What is the sales tax rate in Milwaukee?
The combined sales tax rate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is 5.44%, which includes the Wisconsin state rate of 5.00% plus an average local rate of 0.44%.
Is Milwaukee an affordable place to live?
Based on the data, a single person in Milwaukee, Wisconsin would need approximately $3,102 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $62,118 per year ($5,177 per month). Milwaukee has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.
How much does healthcare cost in Milwaukee?
The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 7.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.
What are house prices in Milwaukee?
The average home value in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is $216,500, with average annual property taxes of $4,406, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
How does Milwaukee compare to other areas?
You can compare Milwaukee, Wisconsin with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Milwaukee is in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area.
Other counties in Wisconsin
Browse the full list of counties in Wisconsin, ranked by cost of living.
See all counties in WisconsinCompare Milwaukee with another area
Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.
About this data
All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.
- HUD FMR FY2025
- ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
- EIA
- ACS + national avg
- ACS
- USDA + BEA RPP