dayblip

Milwaukee vs Louisville

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

Compare a different city:

VS

QUICK ANSWER

Louisville is 8% cheaper than Milwaukee overall.Milwaukee has a cost of living index of 95 vs Louisville at 87 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Milwaukee costs 22% more.

Pierre
Built by Pierre — MBA, Business Strategist & AI Consultant, Founder of DayblipAbout the author →
Milwaukee
WI
95
COLI index
VS
Louisville
KY
87
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryMilwaukeeLouisvilleDifference
Overall COLI9587-8%
Housing10582-22%
Groceries101101Same
Transport104100-4%
Healthcare101102+1%
Utilities106105-1%

Median 1BR Rent

Milwaukee
$1,050/mo
Louisville
$1,100/mo

Median Home Price

Milwaukee
$195,000
Louisville
$210,000

Median Household Income

Milwaukee
$45,389
Louisville
$52,439

Share Your Result

Surprised by this number? Share it with friends and family

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville is cheaper to live in overall. Milwaukee has a cost of living index of 95 while Louisville has an index of 87, where 100 represents the US national average. Louisville is 8% cheaper than Milwaukee overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Milwaukee is $1,050 per month compared to $1,100 in Louisville. The median home price in Milwaukee is $195,000 versus $210,000 in Louisville. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Milwaukee has a cost of living index of 95 and Louisville has an index of 87, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Milwaukee, multiply by 0.92. For example a $75,000 salary in Milwaukee is equivalent to approximately $68,684 in Louisville.

Milwaukee has a median household income of $45,389 per year versus $52,439 in Louisville. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Milwaukee to Louisville is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Louisville is 8% cheaper overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.