Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Lexington 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: Kentucky salaries · Wisconsin salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Lexington has a housing index of 82 while Milwaukee sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in Lexington costs $245,000 compared to $175,000 in Milwaukee, a difference of $70,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Lexington versus $1,100 in Milwaukee.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Lexington scores 96 while Milwaukee scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Lexington (94) are lower than Milwaukee (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Lexington is $55,648 compared to $44,044 in Milwaukee. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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