Moving from Raleigh to Milwaukee?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your Raleigh lifestyle in Milwaukee, you'd need to earn:
$74,212/year
▼ $788 less than you make now
| Category | Raleigh | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $74,212 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$7,941 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,601 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,076 |
| State Tax | -$3,188 | -$3,347 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,961 | $57,247 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is -1.2% in Milwaukee
- Housing is -6.2% in Milwaukee
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd pay $201/year in taxes in Milwaukee
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~704 miles
DIY Truck
$3,000
Container
$5,000
Full-Service
$7,000
Salary Equivalents: Raleigh to Milwaukee
| Your Raleigh Salary | Milwaukee Equivalent | Difference | Milwaukee Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $39,400 | -$600 | $32,095 |
| $50,000 | $49,269 | -$731 | $39,590 |
| $60,000 | $59,259 | -$741 | $47,099 |
| $75,000 | $74,212 | -$788 | $57,247 |
| $100,000 | $99,274 | -$726 | $73,550 |
| $150,000 | $149,459 | -$541 | $105,573 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How Raleigh and Milwaukee Compare
Housing (6% cheaper in Milwaukee)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Milwaukee rents for $1,200/month compared to $1,240/month in Raleigh. Median home prices: $290,000 in Milwaukee vs $431,000 in Raleigh.
Taxes
North Carolina has a flat 4.3% state income tax. Wisconsin has a progressive state income tax from 3.5% to 7.6%. On a $75,000 salary, moving to Milwaukee would cost you about $201/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Milwaukee's overall cost of living is 1.2% lower than Raleigh, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).Raleigh: 98.2, Milwaukee: 96.9.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your Raleigh to Milwaukee move. Average cost: $3,000–$7,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in Milwaukee
Average 1BR rent in Milwaukee: $1,200/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 →