Evansville vs Milwaukee
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Evansville
Milwaukee
💡 The Verdict
Evansville is 4% cheaper than Milwaukee overall. A $75,000 salary in Evansville is equivalent to $78,409 in Milwaukee.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Evansville (left) vs Milwaukee (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Evansville versus Milwaukee. Differences shown from Evansville perspective.
| Item | Evansville | Milwaukee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $770/mo | $820/mo | $-50.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,070/mo | $1,100/mo | $-30.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,440/mo | $1,460/mo | $-20.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.25 | $2.84 | $-0.59 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.08 | $3.56 | $-0.48 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.43 | $3.27 | $-0.84 |
| Coffee (latte) | $4.65 | $5.48 | $-0.83 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.13 | $3.46 | $-0.33 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17.91 | $15.63 | +$2.28 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Evansville has the same purchasing power as $78,409 in Milwaukee.
Conversely, $75,000 in Milwaukee equals $71,739 in Evansville.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $1575 difference is driven by Wisconsin having a higher state income tax rate. Indiana details → · Wisconsin details →
Reading These Numbers: Evansville (88) vs Milwaukee (92)
Evansville at 88 is 12% below the US average, while Milwaukee at 92 is 8% below average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Evansville, the composite index of 88 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 80, followed by groceries (81), utilities (71), transportation (89), and healthcare (94). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,070/mo in Evansville and $1,100/mo in Milwaukee, the annual rent difference is approximately $360.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $1,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $65,000.0 difference in median home prices between Evansville and Milwaukee translates to meaningful differences 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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Making Your Decision: Evansville vs Milwaukee
Choosing between Evansville and Milwaukee involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Beyond the numbers shown above, quality of life differences between Evansville and Milwaukee can meaningfully affect your financial picture in ways the index does not capture. Commute time translates to fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Climate affects utility bills seasonally. Access to public parks and free cultural venues reduces entertainment spending. Consider these secondary financial effects alongside the direct cost comparisons when making your final decision.