Can A Truck Driver Afford Rent in Milwaukee, WI?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.7% of gross income.
Milwaukee rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin state estimate).
About rent and a truck driver salary
Truck driver pay covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost US metros and stretches thin in the highest-cost ones. Because many drivers can base anywhere along their route, the home-city rent decision has an outsized effect on take-home. At the national-average driver salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,418 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets keep rent within that range and which push it out of reach.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Milwaukee, which improves the affordability math on a truck driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Milwaukee
View full rent data for Milwaukee, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a truck driver afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
Median rent in Milwaukee is $1,469 a month. A typical truck driver in Wisconsin earns about $53,875 a year, which makes that rent 32.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a truck driver afford in Milwaukee?
Using the 30% rule, a truck driver salary in Wisconsin (~$53,875/yr) supports up to $1,347 a month in rent. Milwaukee's current median rent is $1,469/mo, which is $122/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a truck driver work to cover rent in Milwaukee?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a truck driver in Wisconsin works roughly 56.7 hours a month to cover Milwaukee's median rent of $1,469.
Where is rent cheaper than Milwaukee for a truck driver?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Waukesha ($1,467/mo), West Allis ($1,454/mo), Waukesha ($1,449/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a truck driver salary.