CostIndexUSA

Glendale, CA vs Milwaukee, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Glendale
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableWI
Milwaukee
96.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Milwaukee is moderately cheaper than Glendale — 14.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Glendale, you would need $68,200 in Milwaukee. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing43.0%
Glendale
170.4
Milwaukee
97.1
🛒 Groceries12.0%
Glendale
106.6
Milwaukee
93.8
🚗 Transportation4.7%
Glendale
109.6
Milwaukee
104.4
🏥 Healthcare4.7%
Glendale
99.1
Milwaukee
94.4
Utilities42.2%
Glendale
158.6
Milwaukee
91.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Milwaukee, WI
$68,200
$11,800 less needed in Milwaukee

Formula: salary × (96.9 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.8530. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Glendale, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Milwaukee, WI

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

Glendale has 43.0% lower housing costs compared to Milwaukee.

Income & Job Market

Glendale, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
196,543
Top Industries
EntertainmentHealthcareRetailManufacturingFinance

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).

Glendale, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.