Milwaukee vs Houston

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 · Texas salaries

Living in Milwaukee vs Houston

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Milwaukee has a housing index of 80 while Houston sits at 89 (national average = 100). The median home in Milwaukee costs $175,000 compared to $250,000 in Houston, a difference of $75,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Milwaukee versus $1,400 in Houston.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Milwaukee scores 100 while Houston scores 94.

Healthcare costs in Milwaukee (102) are higher than Houston (96). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Milwaukee is $44,044 compared to $52,338 in Houston. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Milwaukee.

Relocating: Milwaukee vs Houston

If you are considering a move between Milwaukee (index: 92) and Houston (index: 96), the 4% 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 Houston can afford $1,221/month. With median homes at $175,000 in Milwaukee versus $250,000 in Houston, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,100/month in Milwaukee and $1,400/month in Houston, 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 Houston (96)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Milwaukee at 92 is 8% below the US average, while Houston at 96 is 4% below average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Milwaukee and Houston land within 4 points of each other on the composite index (92 vs 96), so the overall cost picture is similar. Housing shows the widest single-category margin at 80 versus 89, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Milwaukee and Houston. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Milwaukee with indices of 80 versus 89. Median home prices of $175,000 in Milwaukee and $250,000 in Houston underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Milwaukee has an edge in housing and transportation, while Houston is more affordable for groceries and 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 $1,400/month in Houston, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $18,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $75,000 difference in median home prices between Milwaukee and Houston translates to roughly $4,500 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

🔗 Related Tools

📚 Moving & Relocation Resources

Amazon affiliate links