Milwaukee vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Milwaukee
Montgomery
The Verdict
Montgomery is 16.5% less expensive than Milwaukee overall. A household earning $75,000 in Milwaukee would need approximately $64,402 in Montgomery to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Milwaukee has the same purchasing power as $64,402 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $87,342 in Milwaukee.
Living in Milwaukee vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
Milwaukee's housing index of 80 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $175,000 vs $162,000. The $13,000 difference in home prices means roughly $840 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Milwaukee compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Milwaukee and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Milwaukee vs $470/month in Montgomery. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Milwaukee and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Milwaukee vs $460 in Montgomery. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Milwaukee and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $44,044 in Milwaukee and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,874 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,028/month to housing in Milwaukee vs $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Milwaukee, median rent of $1,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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