Is Milwaukee, WI cheaper or more expensive than Minneapolis, MN?

Milwaukee, WI (RPP 94.9) is cheaper than Minneapolis, MN (RPP 102.9) by about 7.8%.

What salary do I need in Milwaukee, WI if I earn $100,000 in Minneapolis, MN?

You would need approximately $92,225 in Milwaukee, WI to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Minneapolis, MN. Formula: $100,000 x (94.9 / 102.9).

Which metro had stronger net migration, Minneapolis, MN or Milwaukee, WI?

For 2021-2022, Minneapolis, MN had a net loss of 12,426 people, while Milwaukee, WI had a net loss of 6,427 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

Route comparison

Minneapolis, MN vs Milwaukee, WI: Cost of Living

Compare the cost of living between Minneapolis, MN and Milwaukee, WI. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.

Source-verified · June 2026BEA Regional Price Parities by MSA, 2022 (Table 4); HUD FY2024 Fair Market Rents (2-BR) Official source ↗

Minneapolis, MN

Overall RPP (US=100): 102.9
Housing RPP: 119.2
Goods RPP: 102.7
2-BR median rent: $1,622/mo

Minnesota income tax 5.35%-9.85%. No city income tax.

Milwaukee, WI

Overall RPP (US=100): 94.9
Housing RPP: 95.7
Goods RPP: 91.7
2-BR median rent: $1,170/mo

Wisconsin income tax 3.54%-7.65%.

Equivalent salary

Milwaukee, WI is cheaper than Minneapolis, MN by about 7.8% (RPP 102.9 to 94.9).

$60,000 in Minneapolis, MN

-> $55,335

in Milwaukee, WI

$100,000 in Minneapolis, MN

-> $92,225

in Milwaukee, WI

$150,000 in Minneapolis, MN

-> $138,338

in Milwaukee, WI

This tool provides estimates only. Equivalent-salary figures are derived from BLS Regional Price Parities (RPP) and HUD Fair Market Rents — they are averages, not guarantees. Actual cost of living varies by neighborhood, lifestyle, and individual circumstances. Not financial advice.

Migration signal: Minneapolis, MN vs Milwaukee, WI

IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022

Minneapolis, MN

Net people: −12,426
Net rank: #52 of 65
Top origin share: 1%
Top destination share: 1%

Largest source: Stearns County, MN. Largest destination: Stearns County, MN.

Milwaukee, WI

Net people: −6,427
Net rank: #45 of 65
Top origin share: 4%
Top destination share: 4%

Largest source: Racine County, WI. Largest destination: Racine County, WI.

Rent delta: Milwaukee, WI is $452/mo lower for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than Minneapolis, MN. Housing RPP moves from 119.2 to 95.7.

Migration figures are derived from IRS SOI county-to-county migration data for 2021-2022, mapped to metros via Census CBSA delineation. Small county-to-county flows are IRS-suppressed, so per-metro totals are lower bounds. Source: IRS SOI migration data.

Frequently asked questions

Is Milwaukee, WI cheaper or more expensive than Minneapolis, MN?: Milwaukee, WI (RPP 94.9) is cheaper than Minneapolis, MN (RPP 102.9) by about 7.8%.
What salary do I need in Milwaukee, WI if I earn $100,000 in Minneapolis, MN?: You would need approximately $92,225 in Milwaukee, WI to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Minneapolis, MN. Formula: $100,000 x (94.9 / 102.9).
Which metro had stronger net migration, Minneapolis, MN or Milwaukee, WI?: For 2021-2022, Minneapolis, MN had a net loss of 12,426 people, while Milwaukee, WI had a net loss of 6,427 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

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