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Cost of Living: San Diego, CA 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.

29.5% Milwaukee, WI is cheaper overall
51.2% 51.2% cheaper housing
9.3% 9.3% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 51.2% cheaper
San Diego
168
Milwaukee
82
🛒 Groceries 9.3% cheaper
San Diego
108
Milwaukee
98
🚗 Transportation 15.3% cheaper
San Diego
118
Milwaukee
100
🏥 Healthcare 12.5% cheaper
San Diego
112
Milwaukee
98
⚡ Utilities 3.8% cheaper
San Diego
104
Milwaukee
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Diego, CA Milwaukee, WI Difference
Overall Cost Index1329329.5% less
Housing1688251.2% less
Median 1BR Rent$2,300$1,05054.3% less
Median Home Price$820,000$175,00078.7% less
Groceries108989.3% less
Transportation11810015.3% less
Healthcare1129812.5% less
Utilities1041003.8% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Diego, CA Milwaukee, WI
State Income Tax13.30% (top)7.65% (top)
State Sales Tax7.25%5.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%1.51%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Diego, CA
$89,000
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 Diego lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Diego (132) vs Milwaukee (93). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Diego4.0%
Milwaukee4.2%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Diego2.9%
Milwaukee1.8%
Top Industries
San DiegoDefense, Biotech, Tourism
MilwaukeeManufacturing, Healthcare, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Diego25 min
Milwaukee24 min
Walk Score
San Diego51
Milwaukee62
Air Quality (AQI)
San Diego45
Milwaukee40
Avg Temperature
San Diego64°F
Milwaukee47°F
Population
San Diego1,381,611
Milwaukee577,222

Moving from San Diego to Milwaukee?

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Diego 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 Diego 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 51.2%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Diego vs Milwaukee?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $2,300/month in San Diego and $1,050/month in Milwaukee — a difference of about $1,250 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Diego or Milwaukee?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. 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 Diego to Milwaukee?+
Median household income in San Diego is $89,000 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 Diego vs Milwaukee?+
The median home price in San Diego is $820,000 versus $175,000 in Milwaukee — a difference of $645,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Wisconsin averages 1.51%.