Living Cost Compare
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,140/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 $1,140 in Indianapolis, IN versus $1,030 in Milwaukee, WI. Overall, Milwaukee, WI is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Indianapolis, IN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN and $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI — about 18% higher in Indianapolis, IN. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Indianapolis, IN
Milwaukee, WI

Rent

Studio
$933
$841
+10% in Indianapolis, IN
1 Bedroom
$963
$849
+12% in Indianapolis, IN
2 Bedroom
$1,132
$1,031
+9% in Indianapolis, IN
3 Bedroom
$1,304
$1,193
+9% in Indianapolis, IN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$207,000
$172,000
+17% in Indianapolis, IN

Income

Median Household Income
$62,995
$51,888
+18% in Indianapolis, IN
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,340
$51,160
+4% in Milwaukee, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.1 yr
32.2 yr
+1.9 yr in Indianapolis, IN
Homeownership
55.3%
41.5%
+13.8 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.2%
26.6%
+7.6 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Avg Commute
24.3 min
22.4 min
+1.9 min in Indianapolis, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
936.6
1,452.3
+55% in Milwaukee, WI
Property Crime
3,351.7
2,772.2
+17% in Indianapolis, IN

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
53.2°F
47.9°F
+5.3°F in Indianapolis, IN
Annual Precipitation
42.4 in
34.8 in
+7.7 in in Indianapolis, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.35/gal
$4.35/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

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

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
17.9
18.8
+5% in Milwaukee, WI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$12.49
$9.48
+24% in Indianapolis, IN

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.14
$4.14
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.79
$1.79
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.97
$6.97
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.15
$2.15
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.63
$0.63
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IN / WI)
7%
5%
+2.0 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
2.95%
7.65%
+4.7 pp in WI

Indianapolis vs Milwaukee — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Indianapolis or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Indianapolis, IN's $1,140, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Indianapolis than in Milwaukee?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Indianapolis versus $34,000 in Milwaukee.
Which has lower taxes, Indianapolis or Milwaukee?
Indianapolis is taxed under Indiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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).