Is Nashville, TN cheaper than Milwaukee, WI?

Based on cost of living data, Nashville, TN is 13.2% more expensive than Milwaukee, WI. This translates to spending an extra $989 per month.

What salary do I need in Nashville, TN to live like I do in Milwaukee, WI?

If you earn $150,000 in Milwaukee, WI, you'd need approximately $161,868.132 in Nashville, TN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Milwaukee, WI and Nashville, TN?

Housing in Nashville, TN is 37.8% more expensive than in Milwaukee, WI. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,840/month in Nashville, TN compared to $1,235/month in Milwaukee, WI.

How much can I save per month by moving from Milwaukee, WI to Nashville, TN?

Living in Nashville, TN costs approximately $989 more per month than Milwaukee, WI, or $11868 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Milwaukee vs Nashville: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Cheese country to honky-tonk territory? Milwaukee's brewing heritage meets Nashville's music legacy, but their economic compositions play different tunes.

Current salary in Milwaukee, WI

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $989/month more in Nashville, TN

$150.0K in your current city equals $161.9K in Nashville, TN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI area

Overall Cost

↑ 13.2%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$989

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$11.9K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Milwaukee, WI

Population:577K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$219K

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:113

Median Home:$489K

Milwaukee, WI

The Badger State

577K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Wisconsin, this city has a population of 577K residents.

Nashville, TN

The Volunteer State

689K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Music City USA
•Country music capital
•Healthcare industry hub

Major Industries

Music IndustryHealthcareTourismFinance

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Milwaukee, WI vs Nashville, TN

Category	Milwaukee, WI	Nashville, TN	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,923/mo	$2,651/mo	↑ $728more	37.8%
📦Other	$1,607/mo	$1,942/mo	↑ $335more	20.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,407/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $123less	8.7%
🏥Healthcare	$719/mo	$607/mo	↓ $112less	15.5%
⚡All Utilities	$508/mo	$519/mo	↑ $10.93more	2.2%
🛒Groceries	$959/mo	$949/mo	↓ $9.99less	1.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 37.8%

Milwaukee, WI

$1,923

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Difference

$728

📦Other

↑ 20.8%

Milwaukee, WI

$1,607

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Difference

$335

🚗Transportation

↓ 8.7%

Milwaukee, WI

$1,407

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Difference

$123

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 15.5%

Milwaukee, WI

$719

Nashville, TN

$607

Difference

$112

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 2.2%

Milwaukee, WI

$508

Nashville, TN

$519

Difference

$10.93

🛒Groceries

↓ 1.0%

Milwaukee, WI

$959

Nashville, TN

$949

Difference

$9.99

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$945

To$1,600

↑ $655

1 Bed

From$1,035

To$1,680

↑ $645

2 Bed

From$1,235

To$1,840

↑ $605

3 Bed

From$1,520

To$2,350

↑ $830

Milwaukee, WIZIP-level data

1BR range: $960–$1,680/mo

Nashville, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,320–$2,230/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,123

Monthly in Milwaukee, WI

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$829

Difference

Home Values

Milwaukee

Nashville

$219K

Median Value

$489K

↑ +3.9%

YoY Change

↓ -2.1%

↑ +44.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.1%

$85K - $529K

Price Range

$320K - $1.16M

Homes in Nashville are 123% more expensive than Milwaukee

Calculate payment - Milwaukee Calculate payment - Nashville

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $8.8K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$737

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.9%

Rate difference

Milwaukee, WI

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Wisconsin State Tax

Effective: 5.9%

$8.8K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.6%

$45.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,678/month

$104.1K

Nashville, TN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Tennessee State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Milwaukee, WI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.6%

Property Tax:1.8%

Nashville, TN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.5%

Property Tax:0.7%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.