CostIndexUSA

Milwaukee, WI vs Napa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWI
Milwaukee
96.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
CA
Napa
112.6
overall index
$2,825/mo rent

Milwaukee is significantly cheaper than Napa — 16.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Milwaukee, you would need $93,000 in Napa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+103.3%
Milwaukee
97.1
Napa
197.4
🛒 Groceries+12.2%
Milwaukee
93.8
Napa
105.2
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Milwaukee
104.4
Napa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.0%
Milwaukee
94.4
Napa
95.3
Utilities+70.9%
Milwaukee
91.6
Napa
156.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Napa, CA
$93,000
$13,000 more needed in Napa

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 96.9) = salary × 1.1620. 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×

Napa, CA

Median Home Price
$867,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,825
Housing Index
197.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.6×

Napa has 103.3% higher housing costs compared to Milwaukee.

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

Napa, CA

Median Household Income
$104,700
Per Capita Income
$59,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
79,426
Top Industries
WineTourismHealthcareAgricultureRetail

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)

Napa, CA
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% 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.