Milwaukee vs Irvine

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 Irvine

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Milwaukee has a housing index of 80 while Irvine sits at 294 (national average = 100). The median home in Milwaukee costs $175,000 compared to $1,050,000 in Irvine, a difference of $875,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Milwaukee versus $3,000 in Irvine.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Milwaukee scores 100 while Irvine scores 108.

Healthcare costs in Milwaukee (102) are lower than Irvine (109).

Median household income in Milwaukee is $44,044 compared to $108,038 in Irvine. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Milwaukee.

Relocating: Milwaukee vs Irvine

If you are considering a move between Milwaukee (index: 92) and Irvine (index: 178), the 48% 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 Irvine can afford $2,521/month. With median homes at $175,000 in Milwaukee versus $1,050,000 in Irvine, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.

Renting vs buying: At $1,100/month in Milwaukee and $3,000/month in Irvine, renters save significantly in Milwaukee. 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 Irvine (178)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Milwaukee at 92 is 8% below the US average, while Irvine at 178 is 78% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

The 86-point spread between Irvine (178) and Milwaukee (92) is large enough to reshape a household budget entirely, especially for single-income families. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Milwaukee scores 80 and Irvine scores 294. That 214-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 294. Median home prices of $175,000 in Milwaukee and $1,050,000 in Irvine underscore this gap.

For renters: With median rents of $1,100/month in Milwaukee and $3,000/month in Irvine, the annual rent difference is approximately $22,800. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $114,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $875,000 difference in median home prices between Milwaukee and Irvine translates to roughly $52,500 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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