Arlington vs Milwaukee
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Milwaukee
The Verdict
Living in Milwaukee costs 78.3% less than Arlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $42,073 in Milwaukee.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $42,073 in Milwaukee.
Conversely, $75,000 in Milwaukee equals $133,696 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Milwaukee
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Milwaukee's 80, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $175,000. The $565,000 difference in home prices means roughly $36,720 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,100/mo in Milwaukee, a monthly difference of $1,250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 100 in Milwaukee. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $475/month in Milwaukee. Milwaukee offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 97 in Milwaukee. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $388 in Milwaukee. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 102 in Milwaukee. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $44,044 in Milwaukee. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $47,874 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,028/month in Milwaukee. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Milwaukee, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 169 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases