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Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX 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.

3.3% Milwaukee, WI is more expensive overall
0.0% 0.0% cheaper housing
6.5% 6.5% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing ~Same
San Antonio
82
Milwaukee
82
🛒 Groceries 6.5% more
San Antonio
92
Milwaukee
98
🚗 Transportation 6.4% more
San Antonio
94
Milwaukee
100
🏥 Healthcare 5.4% more
San Antonio
93
Milwaukee
98
⚡ Utilities ~Same
San Antonio
101
Milwaukee
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Antonio, TX Milwaukee, WI Difference
Overall Cost Index90933.3% more
Housing8282~Same
Median 1BR Rent$1,050$1,050~Same
Median Home Price$255,000$175,00031.4% less
Groceries92986.5% more
Transportation941006.4% more
Healthcare93985.4% more
Utilities101100~Same

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Antonio, TX Milwaukee, WI
State Income TaxNone (0%)7.65% (top)
State Sales Tax6.25%5.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%1.51%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Antonio, TX
$58,000
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 San Antonio lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Antonio (90) vs Milwaukee (93). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Antonio4.2%
Milwaukee4.2%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Antonio2.6%
Milwaukee1.8%
Top Industries
San AntonioMilitary, Healthcare, Tourism
MilwaukeeManufacturing, Healthcare, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Antonio25 min
Milwaukee24 min
Walk Score
San Antonio36
Milwaukee62
Air Quality (AQI)
San Antonio42
Milwaukee40
Avg Temperature
San Antonio69°F
Milwaukee47°F
Population
San Antonio1,451,853
Milwaukee577,222

Moving from San Antonio to Milwaukee?

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Antonio 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 San Antonio or Milwaukee cheaper to live in?+
San Antonio is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 0.0%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Antonio vs Milwaukee?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,050/month in San Antonio and $1,050/month in Milwaukee — a difference of about $0 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Antonio or Milwaukee?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. 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 San Antonio to Milwaukee?+
Median household income in San Antonio is $58,000 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 San Antonio vs Milwaukee?+
The median home price in San Antonio is $255,000 versus $175,000 in Milwaukee — a difference of $80,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Wisconsin averages 1.51%.