Madison, WI vs Milwaukee, WI

The cost of living difference between Madison, WI and Milwaukee, WI is dramatic. Milwaukee is 31% cheaper than Madison, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Madison has a cost index of 103 while Milwaukee sits at 79, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Madison is $1,364/month compared to $1,033/month in Milwaukee — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Milwaukee is more affordable at $172,000 median vs $346,900.

Median household income in Madison is $76,983 compared to $51,888 in Milwaukee (+48.4%). While Madison is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Madison spend roughly 21.3% of their income on rent, less than the 23.9% in Milwaukee.