Quick answer
Memphis costs $195/month less overall ($1,455 vs $1,650/mo). Memphis also has lower state income tax (None vs 7.65%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Memphis vs Milwaukee
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Memphis vs Milwaukee at a Glance
| Metric | Memphis | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $980 ✓ | $1,450 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,220 ✓ | $1,450 |
| Median Home Price | $195K ✓ | $235K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $150 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $325 ✓ | $355 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,455 ✓ | $1,650 |
| Walk Score | 36/100 | 63/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 28/100 | 48/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | 7.65% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Memphis's 1BR averages $980/month vs $1,150 in Milwaukee — a $170/month difference, or $2,040/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Memphis charges None state income tax vs 7.65% in Milwaukee. On an $80K salary that's a $6,120/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $9,180 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Memphis are $195K vs $235K in Milwaukee. At a 20% down payment, that's a $8,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Memphis utilities run $5 more per month than Milwaukee. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Memphis, TN
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Memphis. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Memphis
Hot humid summers, mild winters with occasional ice storms, high annual rainfall
Milwaukee
Four seasons; cold winters (lake-effect snow from Lake Michigan), warm summers, strong fall colors
Job Market
Memphis top industries
Milwaukee top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Memphis if…
- →You're a logistics / supply chain workers
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a musicians
- →You're a remote workers seeking extreme affordability
- →You want zero state income tax
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to Milwaukee if…
- →You're a manufacturing workers
- →You're a brewery industry workers
- →You're a Chicago commuters / remote workers
- →You're a outdoor / lake lifestyle seekers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memphis or Milwaukee cheaper to live in?
Memphis is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,455 in Memphis vs $1,650 in Milwaukee — a $195/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Memphis or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is more walkable with a Walk Score of 63/100 vs 36/100. Memphis is more car-dependent.
Memphis vs Milwaukee: which has lower state income tax?
Memphis has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $6,120/year vs Milwaukee (7.65%).
Is Memphis or Milwaukee better for buying a home?
Memphis has lower median home prices at $195K vs $235K in Milwaukee — a $40,000 difference on the median home.