Milwaukee vs Fresno

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: Wisconsin salaries · California salaries

Living in Milwaukee vs Fresno

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Milwaukee has a housing index of 80 while Fresno sits at 111 (national average = 100). The median home in Milwaukee costs $175,000 compared to $330,000 in Fresno, a difference of $155,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Milwaukee versus $1,300 in Fresno.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Milwaukee scores 100 while Fresno scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Milwaukee (102) are higher than Fresno (100). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Milwaukee is $44,044 compared to $53,838 in Fresno. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Milwaukee.

Relocating: Milwaukee vs Fresno

If you are considering a move between Milwaukee (index: 92) and Fresno (index: 107), the 14% 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 Milwaukee can afford $1,028/month, while the median household in Fresno can afford $1,256/month. With median homes at $175,000 in Milwaukee versus $330,000 in Fresno, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,100/month in Milwaukee and $1,300/month in Fresno, 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: Milwaukee (92) vs Fresno (107)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Milwaukee at 92 is 8% below the US average, while Fresno at 107 is 7% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

A 15-point index spread separates Fresno from Milwaukee, a moderate gap that adds up across monthly bills but is manageable with a typical dual-income household budget. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Milwaukee scores 80 and Fresno scores 111. That 31-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Milwaukee with indices of 80 versus 111. Median home prices of $175,000 in Milwaukee and $330,000 in Fresno underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Milwaukee has an edge in housing and groceries, while Fresno is more affordable for healthcare. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,100/month in Milwaukee and $1,300/month in Fresno, the annual rent difference is approximately $2,400. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $12,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $155,000 difference in median home prices between Milwaukee and Fresno translates to roughly $9,300 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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