⚖️ City Comparison

Milwaukee vs Stockholm

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data

Milwaukee

Wisconsin
92
Below Average
$175,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$44,044
Median Income

Stockholm

Sweden
135
Very Expensive
$414,000
Median Home
$1,830/mo
Median Rent
$74,000
Median Income

💡 The Verdict

32% Cheaper

Milwaukee is 32% cheaper than Stockholm overall. A $75,000 salary in Milwaukee is equivalent to $110,054 in Stockholm.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values for Milwaukee (left) vs Stockholm (right). National average = 100.

Housing
80
Housing
134
Groceries
100
Groceries
138
Utilities
97
Utilities
124
Transportation
103
Transportation
140
Healthcare
102
Healthcare
138

Detailed Price Comparison

Estimated item-level prices in Milwaukee versus Stockholm. Differences shown from Milwaukee perspective.

ItemMilwaukeeStockholmDifference
1-Bed Rent$820/mo$1,430/mo$-610.00
2-Bed Rent$1,100/mo$1,830/mo$-730.00
3-Bed Rent$1,460/mo$2,480/mo$-1020.00
Bread (loaf)$2.84$4.05$-1.21
Milk (gallon)$3.56$5.33$-1.77
Eggs (dozen)$3.27$4.26$-0.99
Coffee (latte)$5.48$7.67$-2.19
Gas (gallon)$3.46$4.09$-0.63
Restaurant Meal$15.63$19.48$-3.85

💰 Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Milwaukee has the same purchasing power as $110,054 in Stockholm.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $51,111 in Milwaukee.

⚙️ Customize Your Comparison

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92 vs 135

Reading These Numbers: Milwaukee (92) vs Stockholm (135)

Milwaukee at 92 is 8% below the US average, while Stockholm at 135 is 35% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

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 $1,830/mo in Stockholm, the annual rent difference is approximately $8,760.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $43,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $239,000.0 difference in median home prices between Milwaukee and Stockholm 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 Stockholm

Choosing between Milwaukee and Stockholm 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 Stockholm, 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.