CostIndexUSA

Milwaukee, WI vs Plano, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWI
Milwaukee
96.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
TX
Plano
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Milwaukee is moderately cheaper than Plano — 6.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Milwaukee, you would need $85,100 in Plano. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+21.4%
Milwaukee
97.1
Plano
117.9
🛒 Groceries+9.6%
Milwaukee
93.8
Plano
102.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Milwaukee
104.4
Plano
104.7
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Milwaukee
94.4
Plano
94.7
Utilities1.0%
Milwaukee
91.6
Plano
90.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Plano, TX
$85,100
$5,100 more needed in Plano

Formula: salary × (103.1 ÷ 96.9) = salary × 1.0640. 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×

Plano, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Plano has 21.4% 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

Plano, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
285,494
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareTelecommunicationsRetail

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)

Plano, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.