CostIndexUSA

Milwaukee, WI vs Peoria, IL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WI
Milwaukee
96.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableIL
Peoria
91.2
overall index
$1,175/mo rent

Peoria is moderately cheaper than Milwaukee — 5.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Milwaukee, you would need $75,300 in Peoria. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing34.3%
Milwaukee
97.1
Peoria
63.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Milwaukee
93.8
Peoria
93.6
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Milwaukee
104.4
Peoria
104.6
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Milwaukee
94.4
Peoria
94.6
Utilities1.2%
Milwaukee
91.6
Peoria
90.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Peoria, IL
$75,300
$4,700 less needed in Peoria

Formula: salary × (91.2 ÷ 96.9) = salary × 0.9412. 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×

Peoria, IL

Median Home Price
$161,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,175
Housing Index
63.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.4×

Milwaukee has 34.3% lower housing costs compared to Peoria.

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

Peoria, IL

Median Household Income
$68,500
Per Capita Income
$39,000
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
113,150
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceGovernmentEducation

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)

Peoria, IL
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.