Living Cost Compare
Atlanta

Georgia

$1,740/mo est.

vs
Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,740 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,030 in Milwaukee, WI. Overall, Milwaukee, WI is roughly 41% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI — about 37% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA
Milwaukee, WI

Rent

Studio
$1,669
$841
+50% in Atlanta, GA
1 Bedroom
$1,576
$849
+46% in Atlanta, GA
2 Bedroom
$1,701
$1,031
+39% in Atlanta, GA
3 Bedroom
$1,557
$1,193
+23% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$420,600
$172,000
+59% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income
$81,938
$51,888
+37% in Atlanta, GA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,170
$51,160
+0% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.0 yr
32.2 yr
+1.8 yr in Atlanta, GA
Homeownership
46.3%
41.5%
+4.8 pp in Atlanta, GA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
58.4%
26.6%
+31.8 pp in Atlanta, GA
Avg Commute
26.8 min
22.4 min
+4.4 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
603.5
1,452.3
+141% in Milwaukee, WI
Property Crime
3,548.3
2,772.2
+22% in Atlanta, GA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
62.6°F
47.9°F
+14.7°F in Atlanta, GA
Annual Precipitation
49.7 in
34.8 in
+15.0 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.30/gal
$4.35/gal
+1% in Milwaukee, WI

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.50
$2.25
+10% in Atlanta, GA

Adult base one-way fare — MARTA vs MCTS (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.0
18.8
+25% in Milwaukee, WI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$18.41
$9.48
+49% in Atlanta, GA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.16
$4.14
+1% in Atlanta, GA
Bread (lb)
$1.73
$1.79
+4% in Milwaukee, WI
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$3.63
+66% in Milwaukee, WI
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.56
$6.97
+6% in Milwaukee, WI
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.15
+13% in Milwaukee, WI
Bananas (lb)
$0.61
$0.63
+3% in Milwaukee, WI

Average prices — South vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / WI)
4%
5%
+1.0 pp in WI
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
7.65%
+2.5 pp in WI

Atlanta vs Milwaukee — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Milwaukee?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $34,000 in Milwaukee.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Milwaukee?
Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Milwaukee under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).