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Cost of Living: New York, NY vs Milwaukee, WI

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

35.9% Milwaukee, WI is cheaper overall
57.9% 57.9% cheaper housing
15.5% 15.5% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 57.9% cheaper
New York
195
Milwaukee
82
🛒 Groceries 15.5% cheaper
New York
116
Milwaukee
98
🚗 Transportation 23.1% cheaper
New York
130
Milwaukee
100
🏥 Healthcare 14.8% cheaper
New York
115
Milwaukee
98
⚡ Utilities 10.7% cheaper
New York
112
Milwaukee
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category New York, NY Milwaukee, WI Difference
Overall Cost Index1459335.9% less
Housing1958257.9% less
Median 1BR Rent$3,200$1,05067.2% less
Median Home Price$750,000$175,00076.7% less
Groceries1169815.5% less
Transportation13010023.1% less
Healthcare1159814.8% less
Utilities11210010.7% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type New York, NY Milwaukee, WI
State Income Tax10.90% (top)7.65% (top)
State Sales Tax4.00%5.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.40%1.51%
Estate / Inheritance TaxYesNone

What You'd Need to Earn

New York, NY
$115,000
Median household income
Milwaukee, WI
$55,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Milwaukee costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Milwaukee to maintain your New York lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: New York (145) vs Milwaukee (93). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
New York5.1%
Milwaukee4.2%
Job Growth (YoY)
New York2.8%
Milwaukee1.8%
Top Industries
New YorkFinance, Media, Tech
MilwaukeeManufacturing, Healthcare, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
New York41 min
Milwaukee24 min
Walk Score
New York89
Milwaukee62
Air Quality (AQI)
New York48
Milwaukee40
Avg Temperature
New York55°F
Milwaukee47°F
Population
New York8,258,035
Milwaukee577,222

Moving from New York to Milwaukee?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in New York and Milwaukee → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Milwaukee →

Compare Other Cities

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is New York or Milwaukee cheaper to live in?+
Milwaukee is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 57.9%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in New York vs Milwaukee?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $3,200/month in New York and $1,050/month in Milwaukee — a difference of about $2,150 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, New York or Milwaukee?+
New York has a state income tax of 10.90% (top) and sales tax of 4.00%. Wisconsin has a state income tax of 7.65% (top) and sales tax of 5.00%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from New York to Milwaukee?+
Median household income in New York is $115,000 compared to $55,000 in Milwaukee. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in New York vs Milwaukee?+
The median home price in New York is $750,000 versus $175,000 in Milwaukee — a difference of $575,000. Property tax rates also differ: New York averages 1.40% while Wisconsin averages 1.51%.