Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Huntsville and Milwaukee have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Alabama salaries · Wisconsin salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Huntsville has a housing index of 79 while Milwaukee sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in Huntsville costs $260,000 compared to $175,000 in Milwaukee, a difference of $85,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Huntsville versus $1,100 in Milwaukee.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Huntsville scores 96 while Milwaukee scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Huntsville (93) are lower than Milwaukee (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Huntsville is $56,098 compared to $44,044 in Milwaukee. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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