Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Milwaukee, WI?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.4% of gross income.

Milwaukee rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin state estimate).

Milwaukee median rent
$1,458/mo
Plumber salary (Wisconsin)
$63,745/yr
Rent as % of income
27.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,312, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,594/mo in rent. Milwaukee's median rent of $1,458 leaves roughly $136/mo of headroom under that threshold. A plumber works roughly 47.6 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a plumber salary

Plumber pay sits comfortably above the US median household income and covers affordable rent in most US metros. At the national-average plumber salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,678 a month in rent. The per-city pages combine local rent with local plumber-pay estimates so renters can see where the math works.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Milwaukee, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

West Allis, WI
$1,454/mo (27.4% of income)
Waukesha, WI
$1,449/mo (27.3% of income)
Waukesha, WI
$1,441/mo (27.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Milwaukee

View full rent data for Milwaukee, WI

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?

Median rent in Milwaukee is $1,458 a month. A typical plumber in Wisconsin earns about $63,745 a year, which makes that rent 27.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a plumber afford in Milwaukee?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Wisconsin (~$63,745/yr) supports up to $1,594 a month in rent. Milwaukee's current median rent is $1,458/mo, which leaves a $136/mo buffer.

How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Milwaukee?

At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a plumber in Wisconsin works roughly 47.6 hours a month to cover Milwaukee's median rent of $1,458.

Where is rent cheaper than Milwaukee for a plumber?

Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include West Allis ($1,454/mo), Waukesha ($1,449/mo), Waukesha ($1,441/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Wisconsin state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Milwaukee, WI. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.