New Orleans vs Milwaukee

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Louisiana salaries · Wisconsin salaries

Living in New Orleans vs Milwaukee

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. New Orleans has a housing index of 95 while Milwaukee sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in New Orleans costs $245,000 compared to $175,000 in Milwaukee, a difference of $70,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in New Orleans versus $1,100 in Milwaukee.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: New Orleans scores 99 while Milwaukee scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in New Orleans (94) are lower than Milwaukee (102). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in New Orleans is $43,258 compared to $44,044 in Milwaukee. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Milwaukee.

Relocating: New Orleans vs Milwaukee

If you are considering a move between New Orleans (index: 97) and Milwaukee (index: 92), the 5% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Milwaukee is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in New Orleans can afford $1,009/month, while the median household in Milwaukee can afford $1,028/month. With median homes at $245,000 in New Orleans versus $175,000 in Milwaukee, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,200/month in New Orleans and $1,100/month in Milwaukee, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Milwaukee where costs are 8% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: New Orleans (97) vs Milwaukee (92)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. New Orleans at 97 is 3% below the US average, while Milwaukee at 92 is 8% below average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

New Orleans and Milwaukee land within 5 points of each other on the composite index (97 vs 92), so the overall cost picture is similar. Housing shows the widest single-category margin at 95 versus 80, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between New Orleans and Milwaukee. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Milwaukee with indices of 80 versus 95. Median home prices of $245,000 in New Orleans and $175,000 in Milwaukee underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: New Orleans has an edge in groceries and utilities, while Milwaukee is more affordable for housing. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,200/month in New Orleans and $1,100/month in Milwaukee, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,200. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $6,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $70,000 difference in median home prices between New Orleans and Milwaukee translates to roughly $4,200 per month 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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