Cost of Living: Las Vegas, NV vs Milwaukee, WI (2026)

Las Vegas

Nevada
111
VS

Milwaukee

Wisconsin
67

Las Vegas is 66% more expensive than Milwaukee.

$1,456/mo ↑ 41%
Median Rent
$1,033/mo ↓ 29%
$70,723/yr ↑ 36%
Median Income
$51,888/yr ↓ 27%
$395,300 ↑ 130%
Home Value
$172,000 ↓ 56%
$1,452/mo ↑ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,082/mo ↓ 25%
650,873
Population
569,756

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
7.65%
6.85%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.53%
Property Tax
1.61%

Affordability

24.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Las Vegas, NV and Milwaukee, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 111 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $423/month cheaper in Milwaukee, saving renters about $5,076/year.

Median household income is $18,835/year higher in Las Vegas. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Las Vegas is $395,300 compared to $172,000 in Milwaukee.

Nevada has no state income tax, giving Las Vegas residents a significant tax advantage over Wisconsin's 7.65% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Las Vegas vs Milwaukee — common questions

Is Las Vegas or Milwaukee cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Milwaukee is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 111 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Las Vegas and Milwaukee?
Median rent in Las Vegas is $1,456/month and in Milwaukee it's $1,033/month — a difference of $423/month.
Which city has higher income, Las Vegas or Milwaukee?
Median household income is $70,723 in Las Vegas and $51,888 in Milwaukee. Median household income is $18,835/year higher in Las Vegas.
How do taxes compare between Nevada and Wisconsin?
Nevada has 0% income tax, 6.85% sales tax, and 0.53% property tax. Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax.
Should I move to Las Vegas or Milwaukee?
It depends on your priorities. Las Vegas has a cost index of 111 with median rent of $1,456/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 Las Vegas details → View Milwaukee details →

More Comparisons

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