salaryMilwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin that we track, with 566,973 residents. Rent is lower than in 70% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.1 years of household income. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,360 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Wisconsin cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Wisconsin. It is number 74 of 156 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Milwaukee with other big cities
Compare Milwaukee to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Milwaukee?
Share of households by yearly income. 14.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Milwaukee
| Size | Milwaukee | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $951 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $971 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,170 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,371 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,504 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Milwaukee overall?
Everyday prices in the Milwaukee-Waukesha metro area are 3% below the U.S. average (index 96.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Milwaukee
Life in Milwaukee
What jobs pay in Milwaukee
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $153,340 | 10.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $135,040 | 11.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,350 | 11.5% |
| Lawyer | $131,100 | 11.8% |
| Operations Manager | $125,490 | 12.3% |
| Software Developer | $123,730 | 12.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $102,120 | 15.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,780 | 15.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $97,360 | 15.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $96,190 | 16.0% |
| Plumber | $84,700 | 18.2% |
| Police Officer | $82,090 | 18.8% |
| Accountant | $80,290 | 19.2% |
| Electrician | $77,800 | 19.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $73,880 | 20.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $65,410 | 23.6% |
| Carpenter | $63,910 | 24.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,930 | 24.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,480 | 25.1% |
| Truck Driver | $59,580 | 25.9% |
| Firefighter | $49,760 | 31.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $49,590 | 31.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,840 | 32.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,690 | 33.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,840 | 34.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,180 | 41.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,410 | 44.8% |
| Cashier | $30,400 | 50.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $30,330 | 50.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Milwaukee?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $7 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $184,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $18,400 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Milwaukee, WI?
Renting in Milwaukee costs a median of about $1,284 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Wisconsin median is $1,305.
How much do I need to make to live in Milwaukee?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,360 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Milwaukee cheap or expensive?
Milwaukee is rated OK: rent takes 26.3% of the typical household income of $58,491. It ranks 74th cheapest of 156 Wisconsin cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Milwaukee?
The median homeowner in Milwaukee pays $3,668 a year in property taxes, about 1.99% of the median home value.
Is Milwaukee more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Milwaukee?
The median home value in Milwaukee is $184,000, about 3.1 times the typical yearly household income.
566,973 people live in Milwaukee. Numbers are typical (middle) values.