Milwaukee is 19% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
I need in San Francisco to live the same way.
🏠 Rent per month
$1,284
$3,201
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,170
$3,312
💵 Families earn per year
$58,491
$152,036
🔑 Buying a house
$184,000
$1,394,500
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
96.9
115.6
🏛️ Property tax per year
$3,668
$9,862
⚡ Electric bill per month
$156
$104
👥 People living there
566,973
830,235
Commute to work
22.4 min
30.4 min
College degree
27.4%
60.3%
Own their home
41.8%
38.2%
Below poverty line
22.8%
11.2%
Unemployment
6.2%
6.1%
Bottom line
- Pick Milwaukee for lower rent, cheaper 2-bedroom apartments, cheaper homes and 1 more.
- Pick San Francisco for higher incomes, a more educated workforce, less poverty and 1 more.
Pay for the same job
| Job | Milwaukee | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | $49,760 | $113,700 | +128% in San Francisco |
| Registered Nurse | $97,360 | $186,610 | +92% in San Francisco |
| Market Research Analyst | $73,880 | $123,250 | +67% in San Francisco |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,480 | $101,860 | +66% in San Francisco |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,350 | $219,080 | +63% in San Francisco |
| Lawyer | $131,100 | $212,500 | +62% in San Francisco |
| Police Officer | $82,090 | $132,000 | +61% in San Francisco |
| Software Developer | $123,730 | $186,640 | +51% in San Francisco |
Frequently asked questions
Is Milwaukee or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Milwaukee is about 19% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,284 a month there versus $3,201 in San Francisco.
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $60,000 in Milwaukee?
About $71,560 a year gives the same standard of living in San Francisco.
Where do people earn more, Milwaukee or San Francisco?
The typical household earns $58,491 in Milwaukee and $152,036 in San Francisco, 62% more in San Francisco.
More comparisons
All Milwaukee comparisons → · All San Francisco comparisons →