CostIndexUSA

Aurora, IL vs Milwaukee, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Aurora
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableWI
Milwaukee
96.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Milwaukee is moderately cheaper than Aurora — 6.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $74,800 in Milwaukee. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing13.3%
Aurora
112
Milwaukee
97.1
🛒 Groceries12.6%
Aurora
107.3
Milwaukee
93.8
🚗 Transportation1.0%
Aurora
105.5
Milwaukee
104.4
🏥 Healthcare1.2%
Aurora
95.5
Milwaukee
94.4
Utilities+9.6%
Aurora
83.6
Milwaukee
91.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Milwaukee, WI
$74,800
$5,200 less needed in Milwaukee

Formula: salary × (96.9 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.9353. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Aurora, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Milwaukee, WI

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

Aurora has 13.3% lower housing costs compared to Milwaukee.

Income & Job Market

Aurora, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
197,899
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

Milwaukee, WI

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

Affordability at a Glance

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

Aurora, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Milwaukee, WI
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.