Moving from St. Louis to Milwaukee?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your St. Louis lifestyle in Milwaukee, you'd need to earn:
$76,784/year
▲ $1,784 more than you make now
| Category | St. Louis | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $76,784 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$8,506 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,761 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,113 |
| State Tax | -$3,349 | -$3,483 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,799 | $58,920 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is +1.9% in Milwaukee
- Housing is +22.9% in Milwaukee
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd pay $40/year in taxes in Milwaukee
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~328 miles
DIY Truck
$2,000
Container
$3,500
Full-Service
$5,000
Salary Equivalents: St. Louis to Milwaukee
| Your St. Louis Salary | Milwaukee Equivalent | Difference | Milwaukee Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $40,715 | +$715 | $33,094 |
| $50,000 | $50,885 | +$885 | $40,814 |
| $60,000 | $61,173 | +$1,173 | $48,535 |
| $75,000 | $76,784 | +$1,784 | $58,920 |
| $100,000 | $102,504 | +$2,504 | $75,651 |
| $150,000 | $154,064 | +$4,064 | $108,477 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How St. Louis and Milwaukee Compare
Housing (23% more expensive in Milwaukee)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Milwaukee rents for $1,200/month compared to $990/month in St. Louis. Median home prices: $290,000 in Milwaukee vs $235,000 in St. Louis.
Taxes
Missouri has a progressive state income tax from 0.0% to 4.7%. 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 $40/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Milwaukee's overall cost of living is 1.9% higher than St. Louis, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).St. Louis: 95.1, Milwaukee: 96.9.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your St. Louis to Milwaukee move. Average cost: $2,000–$5,000.
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.
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