Question 1

Is Milwaukee or Minneapolis cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $468/month less than in Minneapolis, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,338/mo in Milwaukee versus $1,709/mo in Minneapolis.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Milwaukee vs Minneapolis?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $67,500/year before tax in Milwaukee, WI and $79,000/year in Minneapolis, MN — a difference of about $11,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Milwaukee or Minneapolis cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Milwaukee, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $9,373/month in Milwaukee and $10,983/month in Minneapolis, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Milwaukee or Minneapolis?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Milwaukee costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Milwaukee64	Minneapolis52
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,720	$4,188
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$9,373	$10,983
Salary for comfort	$67,500/yr	$79,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,338	$1,709
Median home value	$172,000	$345,600
Median household income	$51,888	$80,269
Unemployment	4.8%	4.2%
Housing score	60	60
Jobs score	52	42
Safety score	41	11
Climate score	70	60
Amenities score	65	64
Population	569.8K	426.8K
Summer high / winter low	80° / 16°	83° / 8°

Milwaukee, WI vs Minneapolis, MN