Home › Compare › San Jose, CA vs Milwaukee, WI

Cost of Living: San Jose, 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.

38.0% Milwaukee, WI is cheaper overall
61.9% 61.9% cheaper housing
12.5% 12.5% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 61.9% cheaper
San Jose
215
Milwaukee
82
🛒 Groceries 12.5% cheaper
San Jose
112
Milwaukee
98
🚗 Transportation 16.7% cheaper
San Jose
120
Milwaukee
100
🏥 Healthcare 15.5% cheaper
San Jose
116
Milwaukee
98
⚡ Utilities 9.1% cheaper
San Jose
110
Milwaukee
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Jose, CA Milwaukee, WI Difference
Overall Cost Index1509338.0% less
Housing2158261.9% less
Median 1BR Rent$2,800$1,05062.5% less
Median Home Price$1,350,000$175,00087.0% less
Groceries1129812.5% less
Transportation12010016.7% less
Healthcare1169815.5% less
Utilities1101009.1% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Jose, 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 Jose, CA
$140,000
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 Jose lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Jose (150) vs Milwaukee (93). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Jose3.5%
Milwaukee4.2%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Jose3.5%
Milwaukee1.8%
Top Industries
San JoseTech, Hardware, SaaS
MilwaukeeManufacturing, Healthcare, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Jose29 min
Milwaukee24 min
Walk Score
San Jose50
Milwaukee62
Air Quality (AQI)
San Jose40
Milwaukee40
Avg Temperature
San Jose60°F
Milwaukee47°F
Population
San Jose983,489
Milwaukee577,222

Moving from San Jose to Milwaukee?

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Jose 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 Jose 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 61.9%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Jose vs Milwaukee?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $2,800/month in San Jose and $1,050/month in Milwaukee — a difference of about $1,750 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Jose 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 Jose to Milwaukee?+
Median household income in San Jose is $140,000 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 Jose vs Milwaukee?+
The median home price in San Jose is $1,350,000 versus $175,000 in Milwaukee — a difference of $1,175,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Wisconsin averages 1.51%.