CostIndexUSA

Milwaukee, WI vs Yakima, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WI
Milwaukee
96.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableWA
Yakima
95.5
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Yakima is slightly cheaper than Milwaukee — 1.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Milwaukee, you would need $78,800 in Yakima. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing25.2%
Milwaukee
97.1
Yakima
72.6
🛒 Groceries+11.9%
Milwaukee
93.8
Yakima
105
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Milwaukee
104.4
Yakima
104.4
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Milwaukee
94.4
Yakima
94.5
Utilities≈ Equal
Milwaukee
91.6
Yakima
91.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Yakima, WA
$78,800
$1,200 less needed in Yakima

Formula: salary × (95.5 ÷ 96.9) = salary × 0.9856. 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×

Yakima, WA

Median Home Price
$342,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
72.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.9×

Milwaukee has 25.2% lower housing costs compared to Yakima.

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

Yakima, WA

Median Household Income
$69,500
Per Capita Income
$39,600
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
92,685
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailGovernment

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)

Yakima, WA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.