Is it cheaper to live in Milwaukee or Spokane?

Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Milwaukee versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Milwaukee or Spokane?

Milwaukee is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Milwaukee vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,040/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Milwaukee, WI is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Spokane, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 21% higher in Spokane, WA. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Milwaukee, WI

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$841

$884

+5% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$849

$903

+6% in Spokane, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,031

$1,192

+16% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,193

$1,442

+21% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$172,000

$326,200

+90% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$51,888

$65,745

+27% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,160

$54,660

+7% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

37.2 yr

+5.0 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

41.5%

58.3%

+16.8 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

26.6%

32.6%

+6.0 pp in Spokane, WA

Avg Commute

22.4 min

21.2 min

+1.2 min in Milwaukee, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,452.3

683.6

+53% in Milwaukee, WI

Property Crime

2,772.2

4,931.8

+78% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+1.0°F in Spokane, WA

Annual Precipitation

34.8 in

17.8 in

+17.0 in in Milwaukee, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Spokane, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.25

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

14.9

+24% in Milwaukee, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$20.41

+73% in Spokane, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Milwaukee, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Milwaukee, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / WA)

6.5%

+1.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

None

+7.7 pp in WI

Milwaukee vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Milwaukee or Spokane?: Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Milwaukee than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Milwaukee versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Milwaukee or Spokane?: Milwaukee is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).