Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Milwaukee, WI (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Milwaukee

Wisconsin
67

San Antonio is 22% more expensive than Milwaukee.

$1,258/mo ↑ 22%
Median Rent
$1,033/mo ↓ 18%
$62,917/yr ↑ 21%
Median Income
$51,888/yr ↓ 18%
$219,700 ↑ 28%
Home Value
$172,000 ↓ 22%
$1,235/mo ↑ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,082/mo ↓ 12%
1,458,954
Population
569,756

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Milwaukee, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $225/month cheaper in Milwaukee, saving renters about $2,700/year.

Median household income is $11,029/year higher in San Antonio. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $172,000 in Milwaukee.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Milwaukee — common questions

Is San Antonio or Milwaukee cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Milwaukee is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Milwaukee?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Milwaukee it's $1,033/month — a difference of $225/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Milwaukee?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $51,888 in Milwaukee. Median household income is $11,029/year higher in San Antonio.
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 San Antonio or Milwaukee?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View Milwaukee details →

More Comparisons

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