Is it cheaper to live in Milwaukee or Salem?

Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Salem, OR's $1,170, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Milwaukee versus $40,000 in Salem.

Which has lower taxes, Milwaukee or Salem?

Milwaukee is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Salem under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Milwaukee vs Salem Cost of Living 2026

Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,040/mo est.

Salem

Oregon

$1,170/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 $1,170 in Salem, OR. Overall, Milwaukee, WI is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Salem, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI and $71,900 in Salem, OR — about 28% higher in Salem, OR. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Milwaukee, WI

Salem, OR

Rent

Studio

$841

$1,075

+28% in Salem, OR

1 Bedroom

$849

$989

+16% in Salem, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,031

$1,337

+30% in Salem, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,193

$1,778

+49% in Salem, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$172,000

$382,400

+122% in Salem, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$51,888

$71,900

+39% in Salem, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,160

$55,310

+8% in Salem, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

35.7 yr

+3.5 yr in Salem, OR

Homeownership

41.5%

55.7%

+14.2 pp in Salem, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

26.6%

31.4%

+4.8 pp in Salem, OR

Avg Commute

22.4 min

about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,452.3

540.6

+63% in Milwaukee, WI

Property Crime

2,772.2

2,878.6

+4% in Salem, OR

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

53.0°F

+5.1°F in Salem, OR

Annual Precipitation

34.8 in

39.7 in

+4.9 in in Salem, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.09/gal

+29% in Salem, OR

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

16.3

+18% in Milwaukee, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$20.59

+75% in Salem, OR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Salem, OR

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Salem, OR

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Milwaukee, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Salem, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Milwaukee, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Salem, OR

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / OR)

None

+5.0 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

9.90%

+2.3 pp in OR

Milwaukee vs Salem — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Milwaukee or Salem?: Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Salem, OR's $1,170, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Milwaukee than in Salem?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Milwaukee versus $40,000 in Salem.
Which has lower taxes, Milwaukee or Salem?: Milwaukee is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Salem under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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).