Cost of Living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
In Milwaukee, the median household income is $54,234 and the median gross rent is $1,059/mo, with a median home value of $184,000. Source: Census Bureau ACS, 2020-2024 estimates.
- Median household income
- $54,234
- Median gross rent
- $1,059/mo
- Median home value
- $184,000
- Population
- 566,973
How Milwaukee compares to the Wisconsin average
| Measure | Milwaukee, WI | Wisconsin statewide | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,234 | $77,485 | -30.0% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,059 | $1,087 | -2.6% |
| Median home value | $184,000 | $266,500 | -31.0% |
Statewide, Wisconsin prices average 94.1 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (2024), where the U.S. average is 100.
Housing affordability in Milwaukee
- Salary needed for median rent
- $42,360
- Rent burden at median income
- 23.4%
- Est. affordable home price
- $197,842
So that $1,059/mo is 30% of gross income
Share of the median household income spent on median rent (30%+ = cost-burdened)
At median income, 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI
The median home value in Milwaukee is $184,000 — within what the median household income supports under these assumptions.
Estimates from documented formulas — see methodology. Not financial advice.
Cost of living in other Wisconsin cities
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.