City Comparison

Milwaukee vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Milwaukee

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

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

13.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.2%, with Milwaukee being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Milwaukee has equivalent purchasing power to $86,413 in Warwick.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
80
Milwaukee
127
Warwick
Groceries
100
Milwaukee
102
Warwick
Utilities
97
Milwaukee
112
Warwick
Transportation
103
Milwaukee
105
Warwick
Healthcare
102
Milwaukee
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Milwaukee has the same purchasing power as $86,413 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $65,094 in Milwaukee.

Living in Milwaukee vs Warwick

Housing Costs

Milwaukee's housing index of 80 is lower Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $175,000 vs $413,000. The $238,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,468 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Milwaukee compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Milwaukee and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Milwaukee vs $485/month in Warwick. 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 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Milwaukee vs $448 in Warwick. 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 103 in Warwick. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $44,044 in Milwaukee and $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,874 and $70,377 respectively. Warwick 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 $1,741/month in Warwick. In Milwaukee, median rent of $1,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Milwaukee is 13.2% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Milwaukee has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,413 in Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
Milwaukee's housing index is 80 with median homes at $175,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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