Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Milwaukee and Rochester have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Wisconsin salaries · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Milwaukee has a housing index of 80 while Rochester sits at 73 (national average = 100). The median home in Milwaukee costs $175,000 compared to $155,000 in Rochester, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Milwaukee versus $1,000 in Rochester.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Milwaukee scores 100 while Rochester scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Milwaukee (102) are higher than Rochester (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Milwaukee is $44,044 compared to $39,728 in Rochester. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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