WhereCanIAfford › Take-home › Tampa, FL vs Milwaukee, WI

Tampa, FL vs Milwaukee, WI: cost of living on $120,000

Tampa, FL +$8,004/yr On $120,000, Tampa, FL leaves $72,362/yr in pocket vs Milwaukee, WI's $64,358 — after state income tax and housing.

Where the money goes

On $120,000Tampa, FLMilwaukee, WI
Federal + FICA (est.)$29,580$29,580
State income tax$0 (0%)$6,360 (5.30%)
After-tax income$90,420$84,060
− Housing/yr (Zillow)$18,058$19,702
Real money in pocket$72,362$64,358

· State tax: Tax Foundation, “State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2025” + state revenue departments. Modeled as an effective planning rate for a typical $80k–$160k filer — not a full bracket engine. · Housing from Zillow ZHVI 2026-06.

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FAQ

Is Tampa, FL or Milwaukee, WI cheaper?
On $120,000, Tampa, FL — by $8,004/yr in real take-home.
What's the biggest driver?
State income tax (Florida 0% vs Wisconsin 5.30%) and housing cost.

See also: FIRE in Tampa, FL · salary to buy in Tampa, FL · compare other cities →

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