MilwaukeeMoney Index August 2026
"Quiet, frugal, future-proof."
Milwaukee — Money Index — Key Facts
- Work-Life Balance: 60/100. Milwaukee scores 60/100 on work-life balance — one of the more livable big US metros.
- 13% Savings Rate. Milwaukee households save about 13% of income — close to the US average.
- 22-Minute Commute. Milwaukee's one-way commute is just 22 minutes — 5 minutes shorter than the US average. That's ~169 hours a year behind the wheel instead of ~207.
- 10% of Land Is Parks. Only about 10% of Milwaukee's land is parkland — well below the big-city median. Outdoor recreation costs more here.
- Median Household: $50k. Milwaukee households earn about $50k — roughly 33% below the US average.
- 43% Own Their Home. Only 43% of Milwaukee households own — well below the US average of ~65%. Most residents are still renting.
- Cost of Living: 94. Milwaukee's cost of living sits at 94 — basically the US baseline (100 = US average).
- Financial Stress: 54/100. Money stress in Milwaukee sits at 54/100 — close to the national norm.
- Milwaukee Quirk. Milwaukee is one of the most affordable large cities in the Great Lakes region.
- Happiness Score: 65/100. Residents rate life in Milwaukee a 65/100 — roughly the US average.
Milwaukee's frugal Midwest culture and affordable housing produce above-average savings rates.
With a median household income of ~$50k, a 13% savings rate, and a cost-of-living index of 94, Milwaukee ranks #37 of 50 US cities in our overall money index.
Green space & commute
Two underrated money levers: how long you spend getting to work, and how much nature you can reach without paying for it.
Only ~10% of Milwaukee's land is parkland — below the big-city median. Free outdoor recreation is scarcer here.
- • Source: Trust for Public Land ParkScore
- • Parks lower stress and lift nearby property values
- • Free recreation = zero-cost lifestyle upgrade
Milwaukee has a short ~22-minute one-way commute — well below the US average of ~27 minutes. Time saved compounds: 10 minutes less per day ≈ 80 hours and a few hundred dollars in fuel every year.
- • Source: US Census ACS mean one-way travel time
- • Owning a car runs ~$10k/year on average in the US
- • 10 fewer commute minutes/day ≈ 80 hours back per year
Typical Milwaukee household budget
Modeled split of $100 of after-tax income, scaled to Milwaukee's cost of living and savings rate.
How Milwaukee feels about money
Four Milwaukee money truths
Milwaukee's savings rate runs 13% — automate even one extra percentage point and you compound serious money over a decade.
Milwaukee is cheaper than the US average — your paycheck stretches noticeably further than in coastal metros.
Owning unlocks fixed housing costs and equity. Renters here can still build wealth — just channel the difference into index funds and a high-yield savings account.
Wisconsin residents in Milwaukee report a 65/100 happiness score with stress at 54/100 — money habits and lifestyle here track that mix closely.
"Milwaukee is one of the most affordable large cities in the Great Lakes region."
Money lessons from Milwaukee
- 1
Frugality is a force multiplier
- 2
Buy boring index funds
- 3
Own the home, not the bank
Find your next account
Compare the best savings, checking, business and CD rates — all ranked monthly, all in one place.
Explore financial categories
← Swipe to explore →
Milwaukee money FAQ
Is Milwaukee, Wisconsin a good city for saving money?+
Milwaukee households save about 13% of income, with a happiness score of 65/100 and a work-life balance score of 60/100. Milwaukee's frugal Midwest culture and affordable housing produce above-average savings rates.
What is the median household income in Milwaukee?+
The median household income in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is roughly $50,000 per year. About 48% of households have a 3-month emergency fund.
How affordable is Milwaukee?+
Milwaukee's cost of living index sits at 94 (100 = US average). Homeownership stands at 43%.
How long is the average commute in Milwaukee?+
Milwaukee has a short ~22-minute one-way commute — well below the US average of ~27 minutes. Time saved compounds: 10 minutes less per day ≈ 80 hours and a few hundred dollars in fuel every year.
How much urban green space does Milwaukee have?+
Only ~10% of Milwaukee's land is parkland — below the big-city median. Free outdoor recreation is scarcer here.
What money personality fits Milwaukee?+
The Saver — Frugal by nature; small wins compound into big wealth.
What's surprising about money in Milwaukee?+
Milwaukee is one of the most affordable large cities in the Great Lakes region.
