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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
The numbers are clear: 1 of 2 cities beat the national cost-of-living benchmark of 111. Milwaukee stands out at 82 on the index, with rent of $1,398/month and household income of $51,888. Assembled from 2026 Census, Zillow, and BLS data.
The numbers are clear: 1 of 2 cities beat the national cost-of-living benchmark of 111. Milwaukee stands out at 82 on the index, with rent of $1,398/month and household income of $51,888. Assembled from 2026 Census, Zillow, and BLS data.
The #1 spot goes to Milwaukee, and the breakdown explains why. Renters here pay $1,398/month — saving renters $5,964 per year compared to the national average. Meanwhile, Housing is the standout at index 82, making it one of the cheapest in the country for that category. The weak spot? Healthcare at 96. The 32% rent-to-income ratio is a pressure point — for median earners, housing takes more than recommended.
The ranking uses a composite of 2026 data from Census Bureau population/income surveys, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary benchmarks, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Milwaukee (index 82, rent $1,398); Sacramento (index 117, rent $2,006). Each city profile below links to the full detail page with 12-month trends, salary breakdowns, and cost category comparisons.
Bottom line: Milwaukee, WI leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers.
#1 Ranked: Milwaukee, WI — cost index 82, rent $1,398/mo, income $51,888
1 of 2 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 111
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| Rank | City | Cost Index | Median Rent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MilwaukeeWI | 82 | $1,398 | Details |
| 2 | SacramentoCA | 117 | $2,006 | Details |
561,385 residents · Wisconsin
Milwaukee earns its position at #1 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 82 cost index sits 29 points below the national baseline, and the $51,888 median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $216,278 — $251,092 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Housing leads the way at 82, while Healthcare trails at 96.
526,384 residents · California
Sacramento earns its position at #2 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 117 cost index sits 6 points above the national baseline, and the $83,753 median income means purchasing power here is partially offset by higher costs. Homes list at $472,863 — $5,493 above the national median, reflecting the metro premium. On the cost side, Healthcare leads the way at 103, while Housing trails at 117.
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 82 and rent of $1,398/mo, while Sacramento (ranked #2) has a cost index of 117 and rent of $2,006/mo — a 35-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.
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.
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.