Living Cost Compare
Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,030/mo est.

vs
Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Oklahoma City, OK. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI and $66,702 in Oklahoma City, OK — about 22% higher in Oklahoma City, OK. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Milwaukee, WI
Oklahoma City, OK

Rent

Studio
$841
$795
+5% in Milwaukee, WI
1 Bedroom
$849
$882
+4% in Oklahoma City, OK
2 Bedroom
$1,031
$1,085
+5% in Oklahoma City, OK
3 Bedroom
$1,193
$1,356
+14% in Oklahoma City, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$172,000
$215,100
+25% in Oklahoma City, OK

Income

Median Household Income
$51,888
$66,702
+29% in Oklahoma City, OK
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,160
$47,230
+8% in Milwaukee, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.2 yr
35.0 yr
+2.8 yr in Oklahoma City, OK
Homeownership
41.5%
59.1%
+17.6 pp in Oklahoma City, OK
Bachelor's+ (25+)
26.6%
34.0%
+7.4 pp in Oklahoma City, OK
Avg Commute
22.4 min
22.2 min
+0.2 min in Milwaukee, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,452.3
685.6
+53% in Milwaukee, WI
Property Crime
2,772.2
2,928.9
+6% in Oklahoma City, OK

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
61.5°F
+13.6°F in Oklahoma City, OK
Annual Precipitation
34.8 in
36.5 in
+1.8 in in Oklahoma City, OK

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)
$2.25
$1.75
+22% in Milwaukee, WI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
18.8
13.6
+28% in Milwaukee, WI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$9.48
$15.95
+68% in Oklahoma City, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.14
$4.16
+1% in Oklahoma City, OK
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 / OK)
5%
4.5%
+0.5 pp in WI
Income Tax (top rate)
7.65%
4.50%
+3.2 pp in WI

Milwaukee vs Oklahoma City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Milwaukee or Oklahoma City?
They're close. Milwaukee, WI runs about $1,030 a month and Oklahoma City, OK about $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Milwaukee than in Oklahoma City?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Milwaukee versus $35,000 in Oklahoma City.
Which has lower taxes, Milwaukee or Oklahoma City?
Milwaukee is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Oklahoma City under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).