Cost of Living Comparisons
Milwaukee is Accessible, Affordable, and Ideally Located.
Milwaukee compares favorably to cities of similar size in regard to commute time, living costs, home prices, and rents.
| METRO AREA | POPULATION | COMMUTE | LIVING COSTS | HOME PRICES | MEDIAN RENT |
| Atlanta | 6.3 million | 28 min | $105,057 | $385,000 | $2,050 |
| Boston | 4.9 million | 32 min | $154,799 | $760,000 | $2,800 |
| Charlotte, NC | 2.9 million | 27 min | $104,000 | $410,000 | $1,450 |
| Chicago | 9.5 million | 34 min | $130,000 | $365,000 | $2,600 |
| Columbus, OH | 2.2 million | 23 min | $97,000 | $325,000 | $1,400 |
| Dallas/Fort Worth | 8.1 million | 28 min | $108,772 | $395,000 | $2,150 |
| Denver | 3.0 million | 26 min | $112,000 | $675,000 | $2,250 |
| Indianapolis | 2.2 million | 24 min | $95,769 | $315,000 | $1,350 |
| Kansas City | 2.3 million | 23 min | $101,000 | $335,000 | $1,400 |
| MILWAUKEE/RACINE | 1.8 million | 23 min | $100,000 | $375,000 | $1,300 |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul | 3.7 million | 24 min | $113,000 | $395,000 | $1,700 |
| Portland, OR | 2.5 million | 27 min | $140,000 | $600,000 | $2,100 |
| San Jose, CA | 2.0 million | 30 min | $210,000 | $1,850,000 | $3,200 |
| Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg | 3.4 million | 25 min | $95,000 | $415,000 | $2,000 |
Sources:
Population
U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (2023 Metropolitan Estimates)
Commute Times
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (2022–2023 1-Year Estimates)
Living Costs
Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) Cost of Living Index (2024–2025)
Represents equivalent income needed to maintain a $100,000 lifestyle in Milwaukee
Home Prices
National Association of REALTORS® (2024 Median Metro Home Prices)
- Regional MLS data where applicable
Median Rent
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rents (2024)
- supplemental market estimates