Juneau vs Milwaukee
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Juneau
Milwaukee
💡 The Verdict
Milwaukee is 23% cheaper than Juneau overall. A $75,000 salary in Juneau is equivalent to $57,983 in Milwaukee.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Juneau (left) vs Milwaukee (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Juneau versus Milwaukee. Differences shown from Juneau perspective.
| Item | Juneau | Milwaukee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,290/mo | $820/mo | +$470.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,770/mo | $1,100/mo | +$670.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,300/mo | $1,460/mo | +$840.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.49 | $2.84 | +$0.65 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.45 | $3.56 | +$0.89 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.99 | $3.27 | +$0.72 |
| Coffee (latte) | $7.28 | $5.48 | +$1.80 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.72 | $3.46 | +$0.26 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17.85 | $15.63 | +$2.22 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Juneau has the same purchasing power as $57,983 in Milwaukee.
Conversely, $75,000 in Milwaukee equals $97,011 in Juneau.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3976 difference is driven by Wisconsin having a higher state income tax rate. Alaska details → · Wisconsin details →
Reading These Numbers: Juneau (119) vs Milwaukee (92)
Juneau at 119 is 19% above the US average, while Milwaukee at 92 is 8% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Juneau, the composite index of 119 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 126, followed by groceries (123), utilities (124), transportation (118), and healthcare (116). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,770/mo in Juneau and $1,100/mo in Milwaukee, the annual rent difference is approximately $8,040.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $40,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $250,000.0 difference in median home prices between Juneau 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: Juneau vs Milwaukee
Choosing between Juneau 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 Juneau 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.