New Orleans vs Milwaukee: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in New Orleans, Louisiana compare to Milwaukee, Wisconsin? 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 78% higher in New Orleans compared to Milwaukee, while rent is 18% higher. State income tax is 4.25% in LA vs 7.65% in WI.
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $281,500 | $157,800 | +78.4% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,162 | $982 | +18.3% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $51,116 | $49,733 | +2.8% |
| Per Capita Income | $37,013 | $28,079 | +31.8% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.3% | 7.7% | -44.4% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 9.6% | 5.4% | +76.1% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 380,408 | 573,299 | -33.6% |
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 — New Orleans
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 — 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.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in New Orleans costs $281,500 compared to $157,800 in Milwaukee — a 78% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,162/mo in New Orleans vs $982/mo in Milwaukee.
- Income: Median household income is $51,116 in New Orleans and $49,733 in Milwaukee.
- Taxes: State income tax is 4.25% in Louisiana vs 7.65% in Wisconsin.
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).