Cost of Living in the Midwest
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri & Nebraska
Photo: Heyzeus Escribo / UnsplashThe Midwest — Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri & Nebraska — covers 7 cities we track across 7 states. Median one-bedroom rent across those cities is $1,031 — 19% lower than the $1,271 median across the 6 regions we track.
The cheapest city we track in the Midwest is Milwaukee, WI, at $849/mo for a one-bedroom; the priciest is Chicago, IL, at $1,258/mo. Median household income across the region's tracked cities is $67,449, 7% lower than the $72,701 median across all regions.
Region Medians
Medians across the 7 cities we track in the Midwest — not a population-weighted regional figure.
States in the Midwest
Cities in the Midwest
Midwest cost of living — FAQ
- Is the Midwest expensive to live in?
- The Midwest is among the more affordable of the 6 US regions we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,031 ranks #6 of 6 and is 19% lower than the $1,271 median.
- What is the cheapest city to live in in the Midwest?
- Milwaukee, WI is the cheapest of the cities we track in the Midwest, with a one-bedroom rent of $849 a month.
- What is the most expensive city in the Midwest?
- Chicago, IL is the priciest of the cities we track in the Midwest, with a one-bedroom rent of $1,258 a month.
- Which states are in the Midwest?
- We track cities in 7 states in the Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri & Nebraska.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).