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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Milwaukee

Wisconsin
67

San Jose is 279% more expensive than Milwaukee.

$2,617/mo ↑ 153%
Median Rent
$1,033/mo ↓ 61%
$141,565/yr ↑ 173%
Median Income
$51,888/yr ↓ 63%
$1,187,800 ↑ 591%
Home Value
$172,000 ↓ 86%
$2,775/mo ↑ 156%
Owner Costs
$1,082/mo ↓ 61%
990,054
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

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Milwaukee, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,584/month cheaper in Milwaukee, saving renters about $19,008/year.

Median household income is $89,677/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $172,000 in Milwaukee.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Milwaukee — common questions

Is San Jose or Milwaukee cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Milwaukee is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Milwaukee?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Milwaukee it's $1,033/month — a difference of $1,584/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Milwaukee?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $51,888 in Milwaukee. Median household income is $89,677/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose or Milwaukee?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Milwaukee details →

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