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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
The 30% rule — spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing — is the most widely cited benchmark for affordability. On a $60K salary, 1 cities (50%) meet this threshold. There are options, but they require targeting. We ran the numbers on 2 cities in Wisconsin using 2026 census, rent, and sa…
The 30% rule — spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing — is the most widely cited benchmark for affordability. On a $60K salary, 1 cities (50%) meet this threshold. There are options, but they require targeting. We ran the numbers on 2 cities in Wisconsin using 2026 census, rent, and salary data. Milwaukee comes out on top — here's the full ranking and analysis.
What does daily life actually cost in Milwaukee? Start with the 32% rent-to-income ratio — stretched, especially for single earners. On the category level, Housing (index 81) is where the real savings show up, while Healthcare (index 95) is the line item most likely to surprise newcomers. Income at $51,888 and homes at $216,278 round out a profile that ranks #1 for clear reasons.
If you're ready to act on this, three things to do next: 1) Click into the city pages for the top 3 and check rent trends — direction matters more than the snapshot. And in practical terms, 2) Run your income through the salary calculator for a personalized cost comparison. 3) Compare your top two picks head-to-head on our comparison page. The data is here; the decision is yours.
#1 Ranked: Milwaukee — cost index 92, rent $1,398/mo, income $51,888
1 of 2 cities keep rent under 30% of $60K
1 of 2 cities keep rent under 30% of $60K gross income
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
561,385 residents · Wisconsin
Here's Milwaukee by the numbers — and there's a lot to like (and a little to watch). Cost index: 92. Rent: $1,398/month. Income: $51,888/year. Home price: $216,278. Population: 561,385. The strongest category is Housing at 81; the most expensive is Healthcare at 95. Translate that rent to annual numbers, and residents are saving renters $5,964 per year vs. the national median. Over thirty years of homeownership, the property tax savings alone are staggering.
280,305 residents · Wisconsin
Madison earns its position at #2 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 105 cost index sits 7 points below the national baseline, and the $76,983 median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $415,530 — $51,840 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Utilities leads the way at 97, while Housing trails at 113.
The 30% rule — spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing — is the most widely cited benchmark for affordability. On a $60K salary, 1 cities (50%) meet this threshold. There are options, but they require targeting.
Rent in #1-ranked Milwaukee has increased from $1,360 to $1,398/mo over the past 12 months — a 3% increase. Rising costs may erode its top ranking over time.
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Milwaukee | 7.65% | 5.44% | 1.51% | $42,567 |
2Madison | 7.65% | 5.44% | 1.51% | $42,567 |
Milwaukee ranks #1 in Wisconsin for this analysis with a cost index of 92 and median income of $51,888.
Yes. On a $60K salary in Milwaukee, rent would consume about 28% of your gross monthly income. Financial experts recommend keeping rent under 30%. You're well within that guideline.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
Milwaukee (ranked #1) has a cost index of 92 and rent of $1,398/mo, while Madison (ranked #2) has a cost index of 105 and rent of $1,649/mo — a 13-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Milwaukee is $1,398/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $497 below the national median of $1,895/month.
After federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), and 7.65% state income tax, estimated take-home on $60K in Milwaukee is approximately $42,567/year ($3,547/month). After median rent of $1,398/month, you'd have roughly $25,791/year for all other expenses.
The median home price in Milwaukee is $216,278, which is 4.2× the local median income. It's on the edge of affordability for median-income households. The national median home price is $467,370.
Wisconsin has a 7.65% state income tax rate. Combined state and local sales tax averages 5.44%, and the effective property tax rate is 1.51%.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.