Salary Needed to Live in Milwaukee as a Single

A single adult living independently needs approximately $17,775/year to live comfortably in Milwaukee, WI — including 10% savings.

Comfortable Salary
$17,775
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$15,373
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$948
12% below national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Milwaukee

ExpenseMilwaukeeNat'l AvgDiff
🏠 Studio/1BR Rent$106$113-6%
🛒 Groceries$17$170%
⚡ Utilities$10$14-29%
🚗 Transportation$23$26-12%
🛡️ Car Insurance$149$211-29%
🏥 Health Insurance$57$53+8%
Internet$59$65-9%
Phone$77$85-9%
Dining & Social$273$300-9%
Entertainment$109$120-9%
Personal Care$68$75-9%
Total Monthly$948$1,079-12%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$948
Target savings (10%):$122/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$1,070
Effective tax rate:26%

Gross annual salary needed:$17,775

Other Household Types in Milwaukee

Couple (No Kids)
$24,813/yr
$1,282/mo expenses
Family with Kids
$53,390/yr
$2,625/mo expenses
Retiree
$18,452/yr
$1,061/mo expenses

Related Pages

Living Alone in MilwaukeeCity OverviewAfford on $75K?Afford on $100K?Cost of Living

FAQ

What salary does a single person need in Milwaukee?
A single person needs approximately $17,775/year ($1,481/month gross) to live comfortably in Milwaukee with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Milwaukee?
A studio/1br in Milwaukee costs approximately $106/month, which is the largest single expense at 11% of the total budget.
Is Milwaukee affordable for a single person?
Yes, Milwaukee is 12% more affordable than the national average for a single person.
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