Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Milwaukee?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $34,000 in Milwaukee.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Milwaukee?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).

Boise vs Milwaukee Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,040/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $1,040 in Milwaukee, WI. Overall, Milwaukee, WI is roughly 17% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI — about 36% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Milwaukee, WI

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$841

+18% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$849

+25% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,031

+23% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,193

+32% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$172,000

+62% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$51,888

+36% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$51,160

+4% in Milwaukee, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

32.2 yr

+6.0 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

41.5%

+21.5 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

26.6%

+20.0 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

22.4 min

+3.3 min in Milwaukee, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

1,452.3

+382% in Milwaukee, WI

Property Crime

1,135.1

2,772.2

+144% in Milwaukee, WI

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

47.9°F

+4.6°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

34.8 in

+23.0 in in Milwaukee, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.25

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

19.7

+60% in Milwaukee, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$11.79

+9% in Milwaukee, WI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Milwaukee, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Milwaukee, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / WI)

+1.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

7.65%

+2.4 pp in WI

Boise vs Milwaukee — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Milwaukee?: Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Milwaukee?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $34,000 in Milwaukee.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Milwaukee?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).