CostIndexUSA

Milwaukee, WI vs Palm Bay, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWI
Milwaukee
96.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
FL
Palm Bay
100
overall index
$1,875/mo rent

Milwaukee is slightly cheaper than Palm Bay — 3.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Milwaukee, you would need $82,600 in Palm Bay. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+15.0%
Milwaukee
97.1
Palm Bay
111.7
🛒 Groceries+2.6%
Milwaukee
93.8
Palm Bay
96.2
🚗 Transportation0.6%
Milwaukee
104.4
Palm Bay
103.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Milwaukee
94.4
Palm Bay
93.9
Utilities3.8%
Milwaukee
91.6
Palm Bay
88.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Palm Bay, FL
$82,600
$2,600 more needed in Palm Bay

Formula: salary × (100 ÷ 96.9) = salary × 1.0320. 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×

Palm Bay, FL

Median Home Price
$336,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,875
Housing Index
111.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.9×

Palm Bay has 15.0% 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

Palm Bay, FL

Median Household Income
$78,600
Per Capita Income
$44,800
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
119,760
Top Industries
AerospaceHealthcareTechnologyManufacturingRetail

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)

Palm Bay, FL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.