Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Milwaukee, WI (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Milwaukee

Wisconsin
67

El Paso and Milwaukee have a similar cost of living.

$1,041/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,033/mo ≈ Same
$58,734/yr ↑ 13%
Median Income
$51,888/yr ↓ 12%
$171,700 ≈ Same
Home Value
$172,000 ≈ Same
$1,044/mo ↓ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,082/mo ↑ 4%
678,147
Population
569,756

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
7.65%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.61%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Milwaukee, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $6,846/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $172,000 in Milwaukee.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Wisconsin's 7.65% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Milwaukee — common questions

Is El Paso or Milwaukee cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Milwaukee is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Milwaukee?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Milwaukee it's $1,033/month — a difference of $8/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Milwaukee?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $51,888 in Milwaukee. Median household income is $6,846/year higher in El Paso.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Wisconsin?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Milwaukee?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Milwaukee has a cost index of 67 with rent of $1,033/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Milwaukee details →

More Comparisons

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