Living Cost Compare
Baltimore

Maryland

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Baltimore, MD versus $1,030 in Milwaukee, WI. Overall, Milwaukee, WI is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Baltimore, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI — about 13% higher in Baltimore, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD
Milwaukee, WI

Rent

Studio
$1,050
$841
+20% in Baltimore, MD
1 Bedroom
$1,073
$849
+21% in Baltimore, MD
2 Bedroom
$1,353
$1,031
+24% in Baltimore, MD
3 Bedroom
$1,555
$1,193
+23% in Baltimore, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$219,300
$172,000
+22% in Baltimore, MD

Income

Median Household Income
$59,623
$51,888
+13% in Baltimore, MD
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$59,070
$51,160
+13% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.1 yr
32.2 yr
+3.9 yr in Baltimore, MD
Homeownership
47.5%
41.5%
+6.0 pp in Baltimore, MD
Bachelor's+ (25+)
35.4%
26.6%
+8.8 pp in Baltimore, MD
Avg Commute
29.4 min
22.4 min
+7.0 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,616.7
1,452.3
+10% in Baltimore, MD
Property Crime
4,202.6
2,772.2
+34% in Baltimore, MD

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
61.4°F
47.9°F
+13.5°F in Baltimore, MD
Annual Precipitation
42.4 in
34.8 in
+7.7 in in Baltimore, MD

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)
$2.00
$2.25
+13% in Milwaukee, WI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
35.9
18.8
+48% in Baltimore, MD
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$17.19
$9.48
+45% in Baltimore, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.16
$4.14
+1% in Baltimore, MD
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 (MD / WI)
6%
5%
+1.0 pp in MD
Income Tax (top rate)
6.50%
7.65%
+1.2 pp in WI

Baltimore vs Milwaukee — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Baltimore, MD's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Milwaukee?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $34,000 in Milwaukee.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Milwaukee?
Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% 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).