CostIndexUSA

Milwaukee, WI vs Odessa, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WI
Milwaukee
96.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Odessa
93.9
overall index
$1,550/mo rent

Odessa is slightly cheaper than Milwaukee — 3.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Milwaukee, you would need $77,500 in Odessa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing7.6%
Milwaukee
97.1
Odessa
89.7
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Milwaukee
93.8
Odessa
93.8
🚗 Transportation3.2%
Milwaukee
104.4
Odessa
101.1
🏥 Healthcare3.2%
Milwaukee
94.4
Odessa
91.4
Utilities9.5%
Milwaukee
91.6
Odessa
82.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Odessa, TX
$77,500
$2,500 less needed in Odessa

Formula: salary × (93.9 ÷ 96.9) = salary × 0.9690. 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×

Odessa, TX

Median Home Price
$246,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
89.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.2×

Milwaukee has 7.6% lower housing costs compared to Odessa.

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

Odessa, TX

Median Household Income
$66,600
Per Capita Income
$38,000
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Population
122,555
Top Industries
EnergyOil & GasHealthcareManufacturingRetail

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)

Odessa, TX
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.