Living Cost Compare
Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,030/mo est.

vs
New Orleans

Louisiana

$1,170/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,030 in Milwaukee, WI versus $1,170 in New Orleans, LA. Overall, Milwaukee, WI is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New Orleans, LA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI and $55,339 in New Orleans, LA — about 6% higher in New Orleans, LA. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Milwaukee, WI
New Orleans, LA

Rent

Studio
$841
$953
+13% in New Orleans, LA
1 Bedroom
$849
$1,019
+20% in New Orleans, LA
2 Bedroom
$1,031
$1,287
+25% in New Orleans, LA
3 Bedroom
$1,193
$1,392
+17% in New Orleans, LA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$172,000
$296,400
+72% in New Orleans, LA

Income

Median Household Income
$51,888
$55,339
+7% in New Orleans, LA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,160
$47,290
+8% in Milwaukee, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.2 yr
38.4 yr
+6.2 yr in New Orleans, LA
Homeownership
41.5%
50.5%
+9.0 pp in New Orleans, LA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
26.6%
42.0%
+15.4 pp in New Orleans, LA
Avg Commute
22.4 min
22.7 min
+0.3 min in New Orleans, LA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,452.3
1,361.1
+6% in Milwaukee, WI
Property Crime
2,772.2
5,089.6
+84% in New Orleans, LA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
47.9°F
70.6°F
+22.7°F in New Orleans, LA
Annual Precipitation
34.8 in
62.3 in
+27.5 in in New Orleans, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.35/gal
$3.99/gal
+8% in Milwaukee, WI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.25
$1.25
+44% in Milwaukee, WI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
18.8
14.2
+25% in Milwaukee, WI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$9.48
$16.62
+75% in New Orleans, LA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.14
$4.16
+1% in New Orleans, LA
Bread (lb)
$1.79
$1.73
+3% in Milwaukee, WI
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Milwaukee, WI
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.97
$6.56
+6% in Milwaukee, WI
Chicken (lb)
$2.15
$1.90
+12% in Milwaukee, WI
Bananas (lb)
$0.63
$0.61
+3% in Milwaukee, WI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / LA)
5%
5%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
7.65%
3.00%
+4.7 pp in WI

Milwaukee vs New Orleans — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Milwaukee or New Orleans?
Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below New Orleans, LA's $1,170, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Milwaukee than in New Orleans?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Milwaukee versus $41,000 in New Orleans.
Which has lower taxes, Milwaukee or New Orleans?
Milwaukee is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); New Orleans under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% 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).