Moving from Milwaukee to Austin?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your Milwaukee lifestyle in Austin, you'd need to earn:
$75,900/year
▲ $900 more than you make now
| Category | Milwaukee | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $75,900 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$8,312 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,706 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,101 |
| State Tax | -$3,389 | -$0 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,760 | $61,782 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is +1.2% in Austin
- Housing is +24.0% in Austin
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd save $3,389/year in taxes in Austin
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~1,036 miles
DIY Truck
$4,000
Container
$6,500
Full-Service
$9,000
Salary Equivalents: Milwaukee to Austin
| Your Milwaukee Salary | Austin Equivalent | Difference | Austin Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $40,480 | +$480 | $34,564 |
| $50,000 | $50,600 | +$600 | $42,696 |
| $60,000 | $60,720 | +$720 | $50,827 |
| $75,000 | $75,900 | +$900 | $61,782 |
| $100,000 | $101,200 | +$1,200 | $79,580 |
| $150,000 | $151,800 | +$1,800 | $114,508 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How Milwaukee and Austin Compare
Housing (24% more expensive in Austin)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Austin rents for $1,549/month compared to $1,200/month in Milwaukee. Median home prices: $400,000 in Austin vs $290,000 in Milwaukee.
Taxes
Wisconsin has a progressive state income tax from 3.5% to 7.6%. Texas has no state income tax. On a $75,000 salary, moving to Austin would save you about $3,389/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Austin's overall cost of living is 1.2% higher than Milwaukee, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).Milwaukee: 96.9, Austin: 98.1.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your Milwaukee to Austin move. Average cost: $4,000–$9,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in Austin
Average 1BR rent in Austin: $1,549/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
Compare Savings Rates →