CostIndexUSA

Milwaukee, WI vs Spartanburg, SC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WI
Milwaukee
96.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableSC
Spartanburg
91.1
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Spartanburg is moderately cheaper than Milwaukee — 6.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Milwaukee, you would need $75,200 in Spartanburg. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing30.0%
Milwaukee
97.1
Spartanburg
68
🛒 Groceries+2.7%
Milwaukee
93.8
Spartanburg
96.3
🚗 Transportation1.1%
Milwaukee
104.4
Spartanburg
103.2
🏥 Healthcare1.1%
Milwaukee
94.4
Spartanburg
93.4
Utilities3.6%
Milwaukee
91.6
Spartanburg
88.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Spartanburg, SC
$75,200
$4,800 less needed in Spartanburg

Formula: salary × (91.1 ÷ 96.9) = salary × 0.9401. 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×

Spartanburg, SC

Median Home Price
$272,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
68
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Milwaukee has 30.0% lower housing costs compared to Spartanburg.

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

Spartanburg, SC

Median Household Income
$61,200
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
38,732
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareAutomotiveEducationRetail

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)

Spartanburg, SC
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.