Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$54,234$4,520 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Milwaukee, WI
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Milwaukee, WI
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,027 | $12,324 | $41,080 | 22.7% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,119 | $13,428 | $44,760 | 24.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,338 | $16,056 | $53,520 | 29.6% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,648 | $19,776 | $65,920 | 36.5% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,784 | $21,408 | $71,360 | 39.5% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Milwaukee, WI
Based on the local median household income of $54,234/year ($4,520/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Wisconsin
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Wisconsin state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Wisconsin with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Milwaukee, WI
What is the median household income in Milwaukee, WI?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Milwaukee, WI is $54,234 per year (approximately $4,520 per month).
What is the average rent in Milwaukee, WI?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Milwaukee, WI are $1,027 for a studio, $1,119 for 1 bedroom, $1,338 for 2 bedrooms, $1,648 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,784 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Milwaukee, WI compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Milwaukee, WI is 96.9 (3.1% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,338/month) in Milwaukee, WI requires a minimum gross household income of $53,520 per year ($4,460 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Milwaukee, WI?
For a typical household earning the median income of $54,234/year ($4,520/month) in Milwaukee, WI, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,260/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,356/month to discretionary spending, and $904/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Milwaukee, WI?
Residential electricity rates in Wisconsin average 19.6¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $176 per month.