Chicago vs Milwaukee: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
Chicago
Illinois
Cost Index103.6
Median Rent$1,440/mo
Median Income$78K
State Tax4.95%
Average
Better value overall
City B
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
Cost Index96.9
Median Rent$1,059/mo
Median Income$54K
State Tax7.65%
Below Average
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in Milwaukee to match your lifestyle in Chicago?
$80,000
Chicago
$80,000
Cost Index: 103.6
Milwaukee
$74,858
Cost Index: 96.9
You need $5,142 less in Milwaukee to maintain the same lifestyle.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index scores where 100 = national average. Green highlights the city with the advantage.
Overall Cost Index-6.4%
Chicago103.6
Milwaukee96.9
Median Rent-26.5%
Chicago$1K
Milwaukee$1K
Median Income-30.4%
Chicago$78K
Milwaukee$54K
Grocery Index+2.2%
Chicago330.5
Milwaukee337.8
Utilities Index~equal
Chicago100.0
Milwaukee100.0
Transportation+3.1%
Chicago247.2
Milwaukee254.8
Healthcare~equal
Chicago100.0
Milwaukee100.0
State Tax Rate+54.5%
Chicago4.95%
Milwaukee7.65%
Side-by-Side Chart
Chicago: Pros & Cons
Higher median income ($78K)
Lower state income tax (4.95%)
Lower grocery costs
6% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $1,440/mo vs $1,059/mo
Milwaukee: Pros & Cons
6% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $1,059/mo vs $1,440/mo
Lower unemployment (3.1%)
Higher state income tax (7.65%)
Chicago vs Milwaukee – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Chicago and Milwaukee.
Chicago has a cost of living index of 103.6, while Milwaukee scores 96.9. Chicago is approximately -6.4% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in Chicago is $1,440/month compared to $1,059/month in Milwaukee — a difference of 26%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 94% of your Chicago salary to maintain the same standard of living in Milwaukee. For example, a $75,000 salary in Chicago would need to be about $70,180 in Milwaukee. Use the salary slider above to calculate your specific equivalent.
The cost of living index is calculated using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), US Census Bureau (median incomes and home values), HUD (Fair Market Rents), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (consumer price data). A score of 100 represents the national average. Scores above 100 indicate higher-than-average costs, while scores below 100 are more affordable.
Chicago has a median household income of $77,902 with an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Milwaukee has a median household income of $54,234 with an unemployment rate of 3.1%. While income is higher in Chicago, remember to factor in cost of living when comparing real purchasing power.
Beyond cost of living, consider: (1) state income tax differences — some states have no income tax; (2) housing market trends and whether to rent or buy; (3) job market strength in your industry; (4) healthcare costs and access; (5) climate and lifestyle preferences; (6) commute times and transportation options; and (7) proximity to family. Our comparison tool covers the financial factors, but quality of life matters too.