Chicago, IL → Milwaukee, WI
You'd keep $254 more a month in Milwaukee
+$3,048 a year for the same registered nurse, the same household size, and the same number of bedrooms.
| Per month | Chicago | Milwaukee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $8,208 | $7,661 | −$547 |
| Income and payroll tax | $2,130 | $1,887 | −$243 |
| Take-home pay | $6,079 | $5,774 | −$305 |
| Rent | $1,828 | $1,245 | −$583 |
| Getting around | $392 | $503 | +$111 |
| Groceries | $408 | $384 | −$24 |
| Healthcare | $459 | $432 | −$27 |
| Utilities | $255 | $240 | −$15 |
| Everything else | $357 | $336 | −$21 |
| Left over | $2,380 | $2,634 | +$254 |
To break even in Milwaukee, you'd need to earn
$87,500
Household gross, versus $98,500 today. That's the salary that leaves you exactly as much at the end of the month as Chicago does now.
The tax difference alone
+$964
A year, in state and local income tax. Effective rates: 25.9% in Chicago, 24.6% in Milwaukee.
Chicago, IL in full
World-class city amenities at Midwest home prices, funded by 2.1% property tax.
Milwaukee, WI in full
Lake Michigan summers, cheap housing, and a 1.5% property tax.
The reverse move
Same two cities, but starting from Milwaukee on Milwaukee wages.
Milwaukee → Chicago →Rent is Zillow's asking rent for each metro; taxes and living costs are modelled. An estimate, not a quote or tax advice. How this is calculated.