Quick answer
Overall prices in the Houston, TX metro were 98.6 vs 96.9 in Milwaukee, WI in 2024 (US = 100), so Houston is 1.7% more expensive than Milwaukee; housing rents differ by 8% (104.5 vs 97.1). A $75,000 income in Houston buys about what $73,713 buys in Milwaukee, per BEA.
Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024
| Price index (US = 100) | Houston | Milwaukee | Houston vs Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.6 | 96.9 | +1.7% |
| Goods | 100.6 | 93.8 | +7.3% |
| Housing (rents) | 104.5 | 97.1 | +7.6% |
| Utilities | 95.3 | 91.6 | +4.0% |
| Other services | 95.6 | 99.4 | -3.8% |
| All items, 2008 | 99.4 | 97.7 | +1.8% |
| $50,000 in Houston equals in Milwaukee | $49,142 | ||
| $100,000 in Houston equals in Milwaukee | $98,284 | ||
| $150,000 in Houston equals in Milwaukee | $147,427 |
Related
- Cost of living: Houston, TX vs Louisville/Jefferson County, KY (2024)
- Cost of living: Houston, TX vs Memphis, TN (2024)
- Cost of living: Houston, TX vs Miami, FL (2024)
- Cost of living: Houston, TX vs Minneapolis, MN (2024)
- Cost of living: Houston, TX vs Nashville, TN (2024)
- Cost of living: Houston, TX vs New Orleans, LA (2024)
- Cost of living: New York, NY vs Houston, TX (2024)
- Cost of living: Houston, TX vs Oklahoma City, OK (2024)
Last updated 2026-10-16. Data only, not financial or tax advice.