Is it cheaper to live in Milwaukee or Philadelphia?

Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Philadelphia, PA's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Milwaukee versus $48,000 in Philadelphia.

Which has lower taxes, Milwaukee or Philadelphia?

Milwaukee is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Philadelphia under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Milwaukee vs Philadelphia Cost of Living 2026

Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,040/mo est.

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

$1,410/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,040 in Milwaukee, WI versus $1,410 in Philadelphia, PA. Overall, Milwaukee, WI is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Philadelphia, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI and $60,698 in Philadelphia, PA — about 15% higher in Philadelphia, PA. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Milwaukee, WI

Philadelphia, PA

Rent

Studio

$841

$1,126

+34% in Philadelphia, PA

1 Bedroom

$849

$1,189

+40% in Philadelphia, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,031

$1,394

+35% in Philadelphia, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,193

$1,406

+18% in Philadelphia, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$172,000

$232,400

+35% in Philadelphia, PA

Income

Median Household Income

$51,888

$60,698

+17% in Philadelphia, PA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,160

$54,310

+6% in Philadelphia, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

35.1 yr

+2.9 yr in Philadelphia, PA

Homeownership

41.5%

52.3%

+10.8 pp in Philadelphia, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

26.6%

34.6%

+8.0 pp in Philadelphia, PA

Avg Commute

22.4 min

32.0 min

+9.6 min in Philadelphia, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,452.3

917.1

+37% in Milwaukee, WI

Property Crime

2,772.2

4,615.3

+66% in Philadelphia, PA

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

57.1°F

+9.2°F in Philadelphia, PA

Annual Precipitation

34.8 in

48.5 in

+13.8 in in Philadelphia, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.86/gal

+2% in Milwaukee, WI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.25

$2.50

+11% in Philadelphia, PA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

21.6

+9% in Philadelphia, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$19.17

+63% in Philadelphia, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Philadelphia, PA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Milwaukee, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Philadelphia, PA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Philadelphia, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Philadelphia, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / PA)

+1.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

3.07%

+4.6 pp in WI

Milwaukee vs Philadelphia — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Milwaukee or Philadelphia?: Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Philadelphia, PA's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Milwaukee than in Philadelphia?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Milwaukee versus $48,000 in Philadelphia.
Which has lower taxes, Milwaukee or Philadelphia?: Milwaukee is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Philadelphia under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% 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).