Durham vs Milwaukee

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · Wisconsin salaries

Living in Durham vs Milwaukee

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Durham has a housing index of 104 while Milwaukee sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in Durham costs $340,000 compared to $175,000 in Milwaukee, a difference of $165,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Durham versus $1,100 in Milwaukee.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Durham scores 100 while Milwaukee scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Durham (108) are higher than Milwaukee (102).

Median household income in Durham is $57,738 compared to $44,044 in Milwaukee. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Milwaukee.

Relocating: Durham vs Milwaukee

If you are considering a move between Durham (index: 101) and Milwaukee (index: 92), the 9% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Milwaukee is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Durham can afford $1,347/month, while the median household in Milwaukee can afford $1,028/month. With median homes at $340,000 in Durham versus $175,000 in Milwaukee, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,400/month in Durham and $1,100/month in Milwaukee, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Milwaukee where costs are 8% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Durham (101) vs Milwaukee (92)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Durham at 101 is 1% above the US average, while Milwaukee at 92 is 8% below average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.

For renters: With median rents of $1,400/month in Durham and $1,100/month in Milwaukee, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $18,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $165,000 difference in median home prices between Durham and Milwaukee translates to roughly $9,900 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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