Milwaukee vs Racine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Milwaukee
Racine
💡 The Verdict
Milwaukee is 2% cheaper than Racine overall. A $75,000 salary in Milwaukee is equivalent to $76,630 in Racine.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Milwaukee (left) vs Racine (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Milwaukee versus Racine. Differences shown from Milwaukee perspective.
| Item | Milwaukee | Racine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $820/mo | $690/mo | +$130.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,100/mo | $980/mo | +$120.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,460/mo | $1,330/mo | +$130.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.84 | $2.76 | +$0.08 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.56 | $3.48 | +$0.08 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.27 | $3.05 | +$0.22 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.48 | $5.38 | +$0.10 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.46 | $3.08 | +$0.38 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15.63 | $13.00 | +$2.63 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Milwaukee has the same purchasing power as $76,630 in Racine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $73,404 in Milwaukee.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
Both states have similar effective tax rates on this salary level. Wisconsin details → · Wisconsin details →
Reading These Numbers: Milwaukee (92) vs Racine (94)
Milwaukee at 92 is 8% below the US average, while Racine at 94 is 6% below average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Milwaukee, the composite index of 92 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 80, followed by groceries (100), utilities (97), transportation (103), and healthcare (102). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,100/mo in Milwaukee and $980/mo in Racine, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,440.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $7,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $89,000.0 difference in median home prices between Milwaukee and Racine translates to meaningful differences 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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Making Your Decision: Milwaukee vs Racine
Choosing between Milwaukee and Racine involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Milwaukee against Racine, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.