CostIndexUSA

Milwaukee, WI vs Omaha, NE Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WI
Milwaukee
96.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableNE
Omaha
91.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Omaha is moderately cheaper than Milwaukee — 5.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Milwaukee, you would need $75,900 in Omaha. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing11.0%
Milwaukee
97.1
Omaha
86.4
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Milwaukee
93.8
Omaha
94.1
🚗 Transportation6.5%
Milwaukee
104.4
Omaha
97.6
🏥 Healthcare6.5%
Milwaukee
94.4
Omaha
88.3
Utilities16.6%
Milwaukee
91.6
Omaha
76.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Milwaukee to see what you'd need to earn in Omaha to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Omaha, NE
$75,900
$4,100 less needed in Omaha

Formula: salary × (91.9 ÷ 96.9) = salary × 0.9484. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Milwaukee, WI

Median Home Price
$363,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
97.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.9×

Omaha, NE

Median Home Price
$295,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
86.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Milwaukee has 11.0% lower housing costs compared to Omaha.

Income & Job Market

Milwaukee, WI

Median Household Income
$77,000
Per Capita Income
$43,900
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
577,222
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceEducationRetail

Omaha, NE

Median Household Income
$81,400
Per Capita Income
$46,400
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
Population
486,051
Top Industries
FinanceInsuranceHealthcareTelecommunicationsManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Milwaukee, WI
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Omaha, NE
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.