A
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
9%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index South Milwaukee Wisconsin National
Cost of living9896100
Goods & Services9997100
Groceries10399100
Health care111112100
Housing9188100
Transportation9998100
Utilities105102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in South Milwaukee, WI

The cost of living in South Milwaukee affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in South Milwaukee is 98, which is 2% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

In South Milwaukee, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in South Milwaukee will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is South Milwaukee Affordable?

Wondering if South Milwaukee is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In South Milwaukee, for example, the median home price is 10.1% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 7.3% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with South Milwaukee boasting a median household income of $57,286, which is 3.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in South Milwaukee?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In South Milwaukee, the transportation index is 1.1% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In South Milwaukee, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 5%, and income tax rates kick off at 3.54%.

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in South Milwaukee displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in South Milwaukee is 2% higher than the Wisconsin average
  • The cost of living in South Milwaukee is 2% lower than the national average
  • South Milwaukee housing is 9% lower than the national average
  • Wisconsin general sales tax is 2% lower than the national average
  • Wisconsin state income tax is 36% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around South Milwaukee

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Compare South Milwaukee, WI Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$77,510$6,459$1,808$2,326
      Renters$36,938$3,078$862$1,108
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in South Milwaukee, WI, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for South Milwaukee homeowners, is $77,510. This would allow for a maximum of $1,808 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $36,938 which would result in a maximum of $862 to be spent on rental costs.

      Wisconsin Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Wisconsin 5% 6.75%

      Wisconsin Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Wisconsin 3.54% 7.65%

      Goods & Services

      Item South Milwaukee National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.21$24.2616.7%
      Beauty Salon $33.25$45.5627.0%
      Toothpaste $3.66$3.701.1%
      Shampoo $1.07$1.2816.6%
      Movie $10.26$12.1315.5%
      Bowling $10.03$18.0044.3%

      Groceries

      Item South Milwaukee National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.05$5.843.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.577.3%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.7%
      Potatoes $4.10$4.9317.0%
      Pizza $11.33$12.096.3%
      Beer $8.52$10.4118.2%

      Health Care

      Item South Milwaukee National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $278.65$125.68121.7%
      Doctor $223.73$135.7864.8%
      Dentist $106.79$113.295.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.29$10.653.4%
      Lipitor $469.65$468.600.2%

      Housing

      Item South Milwaukee National avg. Difference
      Home Price $166,000.00$184,700.0010.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,879.64$2,346.6919.9%
      Apartment Rent $880.00$949.007.3%

      Transportation

      Item South Milwaukee National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.30$3.464.5%
      Tire Balancing $44.14$59.9226.3%

      Utilities

      Item South Milwaukee National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $182.69$193.995.8%
      Phone $185.79$192.253.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Racine, WI76,893927.9%
      Milwaukee, WI592,649936.5%
      West Milwaukee, WI4,128945.7%
      West Allis, WI59,861964.4%
      St. Francis, WI9,600964.1%
      South Milwaukee, WI20,857982.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Green Valley, AZ20,8571054.9%
      Hays, KS20,855927.6%
      Sweetwater, FL20,8521065.7%
      Beaconsfield, QC20,868n/a 
      Dickinson, TX20,870981.5%
      South Milwaukee, WI20,857982.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.