South Milwaukee, WI vs Wauwatosa, WI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. South Milwaukee is 18.3% cheaper than Wauwatosa. With a cost index of 82 vs 100, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from South Milwaukee to Wauwatosa should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in South Milwaukee is $1,014/month compared to $1,373/month in Wauwatosa — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: South Milwaukee is more affordable at $216,400 median vs $307,600.

Median household income in South Milwaukee is $70,146 compared to $93,859 in Wauwatosa (-25.3%). While Wauwatosa is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of South Milwaukee spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 17.6% in Wauwatosa.