Milwaukee, Wisconsin
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.75 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.31 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,484, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Milwaukee's cost-of-living index of 88 puts it below the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$3.75
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$1,484
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$10.67
Combo meal
Electricity
18.2¢
per kWh · ~$164/mo
Car Insurance
$132/mo
$1,580/yr
Median Household Income
$62,118
39.5% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $1,580 in Milwaukee. Compare rates:
📸 Help make this data more accurate
Some prices above are regional estimates. Submit a receipt from a local store to help us show what Milwaukee residents actually pay.
Save on Gas
Find the cheapest gas near Milwaukee:
Find Apartments
Avg rent $1,484/mo in Milwaukee. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
Butter (lb)
$4.84 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$7.90 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$6.38 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$1.94 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$4.67 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$11.34 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$5.16 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$4.37 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$5.16 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$2.86 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.09 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$7.34 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$5.06 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$5.84 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$8.52 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.92 | $4.84 | +23.5% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $6.25 | $7.90 | +26.4% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.47 | $6.38 | +16.6% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.44 | $1.94 | +34.7% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.84 | $4.67 | +21.6% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $8.09 | $11.34 | +40.2% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $3.65 | $5.16 | +41.4% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.77 | $4.37 | +15.9% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.41 | $5.16 | +17.0% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.12 | $2.86 | +34.9% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.66 | $2.09 | +25.9% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.18 | $7.34 | +41.7% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.12 | $5.06 | +22.8% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.57 | $5.84 | +27.8% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $6.08 | $8.52 | +40.1% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$10.67
Casual Dining
$20.44
Monthly Spend
$350.82
+4.71% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $6.62
$10.67
+61.2%Wendy's
2022: $7.47
$11.52
+54.2%Chipotle
2022: $8.00
$11.95
+49.4%Starbucks
2022: $3.77
$5.23
+38.7%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Milwaukee?
Average 1BR: $1,217/mo · 2BR: $1,751/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
469k
Median Weekly Pay
$1,330
$69k/yr
Top Sector
Education & Health Services
Household vs Worker Pay
$62k
household median
Employment by Sector — Milwaukee
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$64k/yr
~$55k/yr
~$85k/yr
~$34k/yr
~$81k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 55079
Highest Paying Sector
Financial Activities
$2,414/wk · $126k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$649/wk · $34k/yr
Newsletter
Get the Monthly Price Report
We track gas, groceries, and rent so you know what's coming before it hits your wallet. One email, once a month, no spam.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Data updated monthly from FRED, Zillow, AAA.
How does Milwaukee compare to other Wisconsin cities?
Compare Cities Side by Side →