Is it cheaper to live in Milwaukee or Santa Fe?

Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Santa Fe, NM's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Milwaukee versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.

Which has lower taxes, Milwaukee or Santa Fe?

Milwaukee is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Santa Fe under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax).

Milwaukee vs Santa Fe Cost of Living 2026

Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,040/mo est.

Santa Fe

New Mexico

$1,310/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 $1,310 in Santa Fe, NM. Overall, Milwaukee, WI is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Santa Fe, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI and $70,110 in Santa Fe, NM — about 26% higher in Santa Fe, NM. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Milwaukee, WI

Santa Fe, NM

Rent

Studio

$841

$969

+15% in Santa Fe, NM

1 Bedroom

$849

$1,167

+37% in Santa Fe, NM

2 Bedroom

$1,031

$1,559

+51% in Santa Fe, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,193

$1,733

+45% in Santa Fe, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$172,000

$411,500

+139% in Santa Fe, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$51,888

$70,110

+35% in Santa Fe, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,160

$48,710

+5% in Milwaukee, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

46.4 yr

+14.2 yr in Santa Fe, NM

Homeownership

41.5%

62.8%

+21.3 pp in Santa Fe, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

26.6%

45.4%

+18.8 pp in Santa Fe, NM

Avg Commute

22.4 min

20.2 min

+2.2 min in Milwaukee, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,452.3

843.3

+42% in Milwaukee, WI

Property Crime

2,772.2

5,189

+87% in Santa Fe, NM

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

51.9°F

+4.0°F in Santa Fe, NM

Annual Precipitation

34.8 in

13.5 in

+21.3 in in Milwaukee, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Milwaukee, WI

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.25

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

14.1

+28% in Milwaukee, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$11.90

+1% in Santa Fe, NM

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Santa Fe, NM

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Santa Fe, NM

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Milwaukee, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Santa Fe, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Milwaukee, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Santa Fe, NM

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / NM)

4.875%

+0.1 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

5.90%

+1.8 pp in WI

Milwaukee vs Santa Fe — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Milwaukee or Santa Fe?: Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Santa Fe, NM's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Milwaukee than in Santa Fe?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Milwaukee versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.
Which has lower taxes, Milwaukee or Santa Fe?: Milwaukee is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Santa Fe under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% 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).