Living Cost Compare
Colorado Springs

Colorado

$1,470/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 $1,470 in Colorado Springs, CO versus $1,030 in Milwaukee, WI. Overall, Milwaukee, WI is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Colorado Springs, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $83,198 in Colorado Springs, CO and $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI — about 38% higher in Colorado Springs, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Colorado Springs, CO
Milwaukee, WI

Rent

Studio
$998
$841
+16% in Colorado Springs, CO
1 Bedroom
$1,305
$849
+35% in Colorado Springs, CO
2 Bedroom
$1,504
$1,031
+31% in Colorado Springs, CO
3 Bedroom
$1,881
$1,193
+37% in Colorado Springs, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$420,700
$172,000
+59% in Colorado Springs, CO

Income

Median Household Income
$83,198
$51,888
+38% in Colorado Springs, CO
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$52,710
$51,160
+3% in Colorado Springs, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.6 yr
32.2 yr
+3.4 yr in Colorado Springs, CO
Homeownership
61.3%
41.5%
+19.8 pp in Colorado Springs, CO
Bachelor's+ (25+)
41.9%
26.6%
+15.3 pp in Colorado Springs, CO
Avg Commute
22.8 min
22.4 min
+0.4 min in Colorado Springs, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
721.1
1,452.3
+101% in Milwaukee, WI
Property Crime
3,487.9
2,772.2
+21% in Colorado Springs, CO

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
49.0°F
47.9°F
+1.1°F in Colorado Springs, CO
Annual Precipitation
16.5 in
34.8 in
+18.2 in in Milwaukee, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.54/gal
$4.35/gal
+4% in Colorado Springs, CO

Area: Colorado vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
$2.25
+29% in Milwaukee, WI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.7
18.8
+12% in Milwaukee, WI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.64
$9.48
+19% in Colorado Springs, CO

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.37
$4.14
+5% in Colorado Springs, CO
Bread (lb)
$2.10
$1.79
+15% in Colorado Springs, CO
Eggs (doz)
$2.25
$3.63
+61% in Milwaukee, WI
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.23
$6.97
+4% in Colorado Springs, CO
Chicken (lb)
$2.14
$2.15
+1% in Milwaukee, WI
Bananas (lb)
$0.74
$0.63
+15% in Colorado Springs, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / WI)
2.9%
5%
+2.1 pp in WI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.40%
7.65%
+3.3 pp in WI

Colorado Springs vs Milwaukee — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Colorado Springs or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Colorado Springs, CO's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Colorado Springs than in Milwaukee?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Colorado Springs versus $34,000 in Milwaukee.
Which has lower taxes, Colorado Springs or Milwaukee?
Colorado Springs is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).