Living Cost Compare
Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,040/mo est.

vs
Springfield

Missouri

$940/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 $940 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Milwaukee, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 11% higher in Milwaukee, WI. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Milwaukee, WI
Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio
$841
$760
+10% in Milwaukee, WI
1 Bedroom
$849
$772
+9% in Milwaukee, WI
2 Bedroom
$1,031
$926
+10% in Milwaukee, WI
3 Bedroom
$1,193
$1,158
+3% in Milwaukee, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$172,000
$165,200
+4% in Milwaukee, WI

Income

Median Household Income
$51,888
$45,984
+11% in Milwaukee, WI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,160
$45,780
+11% in Milwaukee, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.2 yr
33.6 yr
+1.4 yr in Springfield, MO
Homeownership
41.5%
42.9%
+1.4 pp in Springfield, MO
Bachelor's+ (25+)
26.6%
30.3%
+3.7 pp in Springfield, MO
Avg Commute
22.4 min
18.0 min
+4.4 min in Milwaukee, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,452.3
1,189.8
+18% in Milwaukee, WI
Property Crime
2,772.2
4,231.6
+53% in Springfield, MO

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
56.3°F
+8.4°F in Springfield, MO
Annual Precipitation
34.8 in
45.6 in
+10.8 in in Springfield, MO

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.25
—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
19.7
13.7
+31% in Milwaukee, WI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.79
$24.13
+105% in Springfield, MO

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / MO)
5%
4.225%
+0.8 pp in WI
Income Tax (top rate)
7.65%
4.70%
+3.0 pp in WI

Milwaukee vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Milwaukee or Springfield?
Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Milwaukee, WI's $1,040, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Milwaukee than in Springfield?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Milwaukee versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Milwaukee or Springfield?
Milwaukee is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% 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).