Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Milwaukee and St. Louis 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 · Missouri salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Milwaukee has a housing index of 80 while St. Louis sits at 72 (national average = 100). The median home in Milwaukee costs $175,000 compared to $175,000 in St. Louis, a difference of $0. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Milwaukee versus $1,000 in St. Louis.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Milwaukee scores 100 while St. Louis scores 97. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Milwaukee (102) are higher than St. Louis (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Milwaukee is $44,044 compared to $45,782 in St. Louis. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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