Is it cheaper to live in Milwaukee or Reno?

Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Reno.

Which has lower taxes, Milwaukee or Reno?

Milwaukee is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Milwaukee vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,040/mo est.

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/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 $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Milwaukee, WI is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Reno, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 34% higher in Reno, NV. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Milwaukee, WI

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$841

$964

+15% in Reno, NV

1 Bedroom

$849

$1,206

+42% in Reno, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,031

$1,518

+47% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,193

$1,885

+58% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$172,000

$498,600

+190% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$51,888

$78,448

+51% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,160

$49,660

+3% in Milwaukee, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

37.3 yr

+5.1 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

41.5%

49.4%

+7.9 pp in Reno, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

26.6%

35.7%

+9.1 pp in Reno, NV

Avg Commute

22.4 min

20.6 min

+1.8 min in Milwaukee, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,452.3

528.9

+64% in Milwaukee, WI

Property Crime

2,772.2

2,489.3

+10% in Milwaukee, WI

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

53.8°F

+5.9°F in Reno, NV

Annual Precipitation

34.8 in

7.4 in

+27.4 in in Milwaukee, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.09/gal

+29% in Reno, NV

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.25

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

13.6

+31% in Milwaukee, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$12.09

+3% in Reno, NV

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Milwaukee, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Reno, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Milwaukee, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Reno, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / NV)

6.85%

+1.8 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

None

+7.7 pp in WI

Milwaukee vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Milwaukee or Reno?: Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Milwaukee than in Reno?: 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 Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Milwaukee or Reno?: Milwaukee is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).