Milwaukee vs Yuma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Milwaukee
Yuma
💡 The Verdict
Milwaukee is 3% cheaper than Yuma overall. A $75,000 salary in Milwaukee is equivalent to $77,446 in Yuma.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Milwaukee (left) vs Yuma (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Milwaukee versus Yuma. Differences shown from Milwaukee perspective.
| Item | Milwaukee | Yuma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $820/mo | $1,140/mo | $-320.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,100/mo | $1,670/mo | $-570.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,460/mo | $2,100/mo | $-640.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.84 | $2.83 | +$0.01 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.56 | $3.55 | +$0.01 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.27 | $3.15 | +$0.12 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.48 | $5.59 | $-0.11 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.46 | $3.17 | +$0.29 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15.63 | $17.40 | $-1.77 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Milwaukee has the same purchasing power as $77,446 in Yuma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $72,632 in Milwaukee.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $2100 difference is driven by Wisconsin having a higher state income tax rate. Wisconsin details → · Arizona details →
Reading These Numbers: Milwaukee (92) vs Yuma (95)
Milwaukee at 92 is 8% below the US average, while Yuma at 95 is 5% 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 $1,670/mo in Yuma, the annual rent difference is approximately $6,840.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $34,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $278,000.0 difference in median home prices between Milwaukee and Yuma 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 Yuma
Choosing between Milwaukee and Yuma 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.
Long-term affordability in Milwaukee versus Yuma depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.