Milwaukee vs Hayward: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin compare to Hayward, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Milwaukee is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 80% lower in Milwaukee compared to Hayward, while rent is 57% lower. State income tax is 7.65% in WI vs 13.3% in CA.
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Hayward, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $157,800 | $775,700 | -79.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $982 | $2,260 | -56.5% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $49,733 | $105,371 | -52.8% |
| Per Capita Income | $28,079 | $42,311 | -33.6% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 7.7% | 13.3% | -42.5% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 5.4% | 8.7% | -37.4% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 573,299 | 160,602 | +257.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Milwaukee
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Hayward
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Milwaukee costs $157,800 compared to $775,700 in Hayward — a 80% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $982/mo in Milwaukee vs $2,260/mo in Hayward.
- Income: Median household income is $49,733 in Milwaukee and $105,371 in Hayward.
- Taxes: State income tax is 7.65% in Wisconsin vs 13.3% in California.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).