Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 55% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $34,000 in Milwaukee.

Which has lower taxes, Boston or Milwaukee?

Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Milwaukee under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Boston vs Milwaukee Cost of Living 2026

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/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 $2,290 in Boston, MA versus $1,040 in Milwaukee, WI. Overall, Milwaukee, WI is roughly 55% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI — about 45% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Boston, MA

Milwaukee, WI

Rent

Studio

$1,890

$841

+56% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,978

$849

+57% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,155

$1,031

+52% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$2,234

$1,193

+47% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$710,400

$172,000

+76% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$94,755

$51,888

+45% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$51,160

+23% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.2 yr

32.2 yr

+1.0 yr in Boston, MA

Homeownership

35.4%

41.5%

+6.1 pp in Milwaukee, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.1%

26.6%

+27.5 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

30.2 min

22.4 min

+7.8 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

630.2

1,452.3

+130% in Milwaukee, WI

Property Crime

2,030.8

2,772.2

+37% 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

51.5°F

47.9°F

+3.6°F in Boston, MA

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

34.8 in

+9.0 in in Boston, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.95/gal

$3.94/gal

+0% in Boston, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.25

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

28.8

19.7

+32% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.39

$11.79

+62% in Boston, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Boston, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Milwaukee, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Boston, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Boston, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / WI)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

7.65%

+1.3 pp in MA

Boston vs Milwaukee — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Milwaukee?: Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 55% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Milwaukee?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $34,000 in Milwaukee.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Milwaukee?: Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).