Cost of Living in West Milwaukee, WI

Population 4,064 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

67
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

West Milwaukee sits on the smaller end of the Wisconsin city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.

Located <5 miles south of Milwaukee, West Milwaukee falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 18% higher than Milwaukee's $172,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 67
Rent 67

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in West Milwaukee

The median home value in West Milwaukee is $203,500 — 33% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $885/month, 33% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $48,976/year is 34% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. Wisconsin's top state income tax rate is 7.7% and the combined sales tax is 5.4%. The climate averages highs of 57.4°F and lows of 41.3°F, with about 48.7" of annual snowfall. Overall, West Milwaukee has a cost of living index of 67 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 33% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$203,500
33% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$225,055
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$885/mo
33% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.2x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$712
1 BR
$781
2 BR
$997
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR
$1,448
Owner-occupied 32.7%
Renter-occupied 67.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$885
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,499/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
20.3 min
25% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.0%
Carpooled
12.1%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
3.3%
Work from home
5.1%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 7.7%
Total Sales Tax 5.4%
State rate 5.0%
Avg local rate 0.4%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$48,976
34% below avg
Per Capita Income
$29,660
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
22% below avg
Poverty Rate
16.0%
Labor Force Participation
67.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.9%
Graduate degree 4.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.4
Male median age 33.7
Female median age 37.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.4°F
Avg Low
41.3°F
Annual Precip
34.6"
Annual Snowfall
48.7"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 313444556777828074614836
Low °F 172029384858656456453323
Precip" 1.791.692.203.863.544.383.403.653.162.782.241.88
Snow" 14.911.86.72.10.00.00.00.00.00.32.510.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
45.5%
Good air days/yr
250
Max AQI recorded
258
PM2.5 days
102
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in West Milwaukee, WI?

West Milwaukee has a cost index of 67 (100 = national average). It is 33% below the national average.

What is average rent in West Milwaukee, WI?

The median gross rent in West Milwaukee is $885 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in West Milwaukee?

The median home value in West Milwaukee is $203,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in West Milwaukee?

The median household income in West Milwaukee is $48,976 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in West Milwaukee, WI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in West Milwaukee is 5.4%. The Wisconsin state income tax top rate is 7.7%.

Is West Milwaukee, WI affordable?

Yes, West Milwaukee is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 67 — about 33% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in West Milwaukee?

West Milwaukee has average high temperatures of 57.4°F and average lows of 41.3°F. Annual precipitation is 34.6". Average annual snowfall is 48.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

West Milwaukee at a Glance

Population
4,064
Median Income
$48,976
Home Value
$203,500
Median Rent
$885/mo
Unemployment
3.8%
Avg High Temp
57.4°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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