Living Cost Compare
Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,030/mo est.

vs
Washington

District of Columbia

$2,130/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,030 in Milwaukee, WI versus $2,130 in Washington, DC. Overall, Milwaukee, WI is roughly 52% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Washington, DC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI and $106,287 in Washington, DC — about 51% higher in Washington, DC. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; District of Columbia has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Milwaukee, WI
Washington, DC

Rent

Studio
$841
$1,763
+110% in Washington, DC
1 Bedroom
$849
$1,885
+122% in Washington, DC
2 Bedroom
$1,031
$1,949
+89% in Washington, DC
3 Bedroom
$1,193
$2,249
+89% in Washington, DC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$172,000
$724,600
+321% in Washington, DC

Income

Median Household Income
$51,888
$106,287
+105% in Washington, DC
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,160
$71,060
+39% in Washington, DC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.2 yr
34.9 yr
+2.7 yr in Washington, DC
Homeownership
41.5%
41.1%
+0.4 pp in Milwaukee, WI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
26.6%
63.6%
+37.0 pp in Washington, DC
Avg Commute
22.4 min
30.3 min
+7.9 min in Washington, DC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,452.3
936
+36% in Milwaukee, WI
Property Crime
2,772.2
3,627.1
+31% in Washington, DC

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
58.2°F
+10.3°F in Washington, DC
Annual Precipitation
34.8 in
39.7 in
+5.0 in in Washington, DC

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.35/gal
$4.30/gal
+1% in Milwaukee, WI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.25
$2.00
+11% in Milwaukee, WI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
18.8
25.0
+33% in Washington, DC
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$9.48
$18.01
+90% in Washington, DC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.14
$4.16
+1% in Washington, DC
Bread (lb)
$1.79
$1.73
+3% in Milwaukee, WI
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Milwaukee, WI
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.97
$6.56
+6% in Milwaukee, WI
Chicken (lb)
$2.15
$1.90
+12% in Milwaukee, WI
Bananas (lb)
$0.63
$0.61
+3% in Milwaukee, WI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / DC)
5%
6%
+1.0 pp in DC
Income Tax (top rate)
7.65%
10.75%
+3.1 pp in DC

Milwaukee vs Washington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Milwaukee or Washington?
Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 52% below Washington, DC's $2,130, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Milwaukee than in Washington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Milwaukee versus $75,000 in Washington.
Which has lower taxes, Milwaukee or Washington?
Milwaukee is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% 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).