City Comparison

Augusta vs Milwaukee

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

Maine
89
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$56,200
Median Income

Milwaukee

Wisconsin
92
Below Average
$175,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$44,044
Median Income

The Verdict

3.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 3.3%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $77,528 in Milwaukee.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
72
Augusta
80
Milwaukee
Groceries
99
Augusta
100
Milwaukee
Utilities
108
Augusta
97
Milwaukee
Transportation
102
Augusta
103
Milwaukee
Healthcare
114
Augusta
102
Milwaukee

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $77,528 in Milwaukee.

Conversely, $75,000 in Milwaukee equals $72,554 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Milwaukee

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Milwaukee's 80, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $175,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,100/mo in Milwaukee, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 100 in Milwaukee. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $475/month in Milwaukee. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Augusta and 97 in Milwaukee. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $388 in Milwaukee. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 102 in Milwaukee. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,200 in Augusta and $44,044 in Milwaukee. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $47,874 respectively. Augusta residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,311/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,028/month in Milwaukee. In Augusta, median rent of $950/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 3.3% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,528 in Milwaukee, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while Milwaukee's is 80 with median homes at $175,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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