Cost of Living in Milwaukee, WI
| Cost of Living in Milwaukee, WI | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 12% higher | 0% |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 2% higher | 4% higher |
| Food | 3% higher | 3% higher |
| Healthcare | 0% | 11% higher |
| Transportation | 1% lower | 1% lower |
| Goods & Services | 4% lower | 2% lower |
The cost of living in Milwaukee, WI is 2% higher than the state average and 1% higher than the national average. Milwaukee, WI housing is 0% as the U.S average, while utilities are about 4% pricier. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 3% pricier in Milwaukee, WI than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 2% less .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 11% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 2% cheaper in Milwaukee, WI.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Milwaukee is $1,567, while home prices circle around $469,318.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Milwaukee, energy bills cost around $214.46 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.78 in Milwaukee, a dozen eggs go for around $4.03 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.45.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Milwaukee, an optometry check-up costs around $89.62, while a dentist appointment is priced $110.30 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.25 in Milwaukee, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $66.53.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $40.43 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $34.08.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Milwaukee, you should budget around $14.28 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $28.71, while dry cleaning costs about $17.37.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Milwaukee, the median household income is $51,888.