City cost comparison
Madison vs Milwaukee
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Madison, WI against Milwaukee, WI.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Madison, WI | Milwaukee, WI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $855 | $738 | +16% cheaper in Milwaukee |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,346 | $1,263 | +7% cheaper in Milwaukee |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $647 | $634 | +2% cheaper in Milwaukee |
| FoodPer child / month | $353 | $338 | +4% cheaper in Milwaukee |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $86 | $82 | +5% cheaper in Milwaukee |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.