Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Milwaukee, WI (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Milwaukee

Wisconsin
67

San Francisco is 299% more expensive than Milwaukee.

$2,419/mo ↑ 134%
Median Rent
$1,033/mo ↓ 57%
$141,446/yr ↑ 173%
Median Income
$51,888/yr ↓ 63%
$1,380,500 ↑ 703%
Home Value
$172,000 ↓ 88%
$2,620/mo ↑ 142%
Owner Costs
$1,082/mo ↓ 59%
836,321
Population
569,756

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
7.65%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.61%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Milwaukee, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,386/month cheaper in Milwaukee, saving renters about $16,632/year.

Median household income is $89,558/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $172,000 in Milwaukee.

Wisconsin has a lower income tax rate, making Milwaukee slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Milwaukee — common questions

Is San Francisco or Milwaukee cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Milwaukee is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Milwaukee?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Milwaukee it's $1,033/month — a difference of $1,386/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Milwaukee?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $51,888 in Milwaukee. Median household income is $89,558/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and Wisconsin?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Milwaukee?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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.
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