Home project costs in Milwaukee, WI
Every project we cover, priced for the Milwaukee-Waukesha metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
Milwaukee sits 118th of 300 metros on BEA's regional price index, at 96.9 where the US is 100. Goods, the index that drives materials, is 93.8 (230th). The metro has about 820,780 jobs in BLS's May 2025 survey.
Not every job moves the same way here: 28 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 8 below, and 2 are level with it. French drain (+17%), concrete driveway (+16%) and paver patio (+16%) sit highest, and laminate flooring (−3%), hardwood flooring (−3%) and front door (−3%) sit lowest. Labor-heavy work tracks local wages; materials-heavy work tracks the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (Mt Mary College, 3 miles away) shows a January average low of 14°F, a July average high of 83°F and 34 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are May through October; for exterior installation, they are April through November.
What local trades earn in Milwaukee
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $22.17 | $27.61 | $37.52 | $22.66 | 1.22 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $26.48 | $30.73 | $39.60 | $29.12 | 1.06 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $30.92 | $38.19 | $45.82 | $28.78 | 1.33 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $29.98 | $40.72 | $51.92 | $30.67 | 1.33 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $29.45 | $35.93 | $40.37 | $27.41 | 1.31 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $27.48 | $37.41 | $47.39 | $30.38 | 1.23 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | $28.36 | $30.85 | $36.45 | $26.77 | 1.15 |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $23.24 | $28.91 | $34.00 | $26.65 | 1.08 |
Concrete & paving in Milwaukee
The 7 jobs here average +12% versus the US in Milwaukee, from +7% (concrete slab) to +16% (concrete driveway).
| Project | Size | Milwaukee range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Milwaukee | 400 sq ft | $2,700 – $5,550 | +7% |
| Concrete driveway cost in Milwaukee | 600 sq ft | $4,150 – $10,800 | +16% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Milwaukee | 600 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,400 | +12% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Milwaukee | 1,000 sq ft | $2,800 – $11,200 | +10% |
| Paver patio cost in Milwaukee | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,300 | +16% |
| Concrete patio cost in Milwaukee | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,500 | +11% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Milwaukee | 400 sq ft | $3,550 – $8,850 | +11% |
Decks & outdoor in Milwaukee
The 2 jobs here average +2% versus the US in Milwaukee, from level (wood deck) to +3% (composite deck).
| Project | Size | Milwaukee range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Milwaukee | 300 sq ft | $7,600 – $15,200 | level |
| Composite deck cost in Milwaukee | 300 sq ft | $12,400 – $24,800 | +3% |
Building & additions in Milwaukee
Across these 2 projects, Milwaukee averages +5% against national midpoints. Home addition is highest at +6% and detached garage lowest at +4%.
| Project | Size | Milwaukee range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Milwaukee | 576 sq ft | $30,200 – $60,500 | +4% |
| Home addition cost in Milwaukee | 300 sq ft | $40,500 – $81,900 | +6% |
Doors & windows in Milwaukee
The 5 jobs here average level versus the US in Milwaukee, from −3% (front door) to +3% (patio door).
| Project | Size | Milwaukee range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Milwaukee | 1 door | $710 – $3,650 | −1% |
| Storm door cost in Milwaukee | 1 door | $350 – $940 | −1% |
| Front door cost in Milwaukee | 1 door | $510 – $2,400 | −3% |
| Window replacement cost in Milwaukee | 10 windows | $4,600 – $14,900 | level |
| Patio door cost in Milwaukee | 1 door | $600 – $6,200 | +3% |
Fencing in Milwaukee
The 4 jobs here average +2% versus the US in Milwaukee, from −2% (vinyl fence) to +7% (chain-link fence).
| Project | Size | Milwaukee range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Milwaukee | 150 linear ft | $3,150 – $7,750 | +2% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Milwaukee | 150 linear ft | $4,400 – $9,050 | −2% |
| Chain-link fence cost in Milwaukee | 150 linear ft | $1,550 – $6,650 | +7% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Milwaukee | 150 linear ft | $3,900 – $11,500 | +2% |
Roofing & exterior in Milwaukee
The 5 jobs here average +3% versus the US in Milwaukee, from −2% (attic insulation) to +5% (metal roof).
| Project | Size | Milwaukee range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Milwaukee | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,450 – $12,900 | +4% |
| Metal roof cost in Milwaukee | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $11,100 – $33,700 | +5% |
| Gutters cost in Milwaukee | 160 linear ft | $1,350 – $4,300 | +4% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Milwaukee | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,650 – $26,000 | +3% |
| Attic insulation cost in Milwaukee | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $3,900 | −2% |
Kitchen & bath in Milwaukee
Across these 5 projects, Milwaukee averages +4% against national midpoints. Shower pan is highest at +11% and kitchen remodel lowest at −2%.
| Project | Size | Milwaukee range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Milwaukee | 25 linear ft | $4,200 – $14,400 | +2% |
| Shower pan cost in Milwaukee | 1 pan | $1,100 – $3,050 | +11% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Milwaukee | 120 sq ft | $18,100 – $30,800 | −2% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Milwaukee | 45 sq ft | $4,950 – $24,600 | +6% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Milwaukee | 30 sq ft | $310 – $1,550 | +2% |
Landscaping & drainage in Milwaukee
Across these 5 projects, Milwaukee averages +12% against national midpoints. French drain is highest at +17% and sod installation lowest at +4%.
| Project | Size | Milwaukee range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Milwaukee | 60 linear ft | $700 – $2,450 | +17% |
| Retaining wall cost in Milwaukee | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,550 – $15,100 | +15% |
| Sod installation cost in Milwaukee | 1,500 sq ft | $1,550 – $3,450 | +4% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Milwaukee | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,450 – $11,200 | +12% |
| Inground pool cost in Milwaukee | 450 sq ft | $41,200 – $128,500 | +14% |
Flooring & interior in Milwaukee
The 3 jobs here average −1% versus the US in Milwaukee, from −3% (laminate flooring) to +3% (tile flooring).
| Project | Size | Milwaukee range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Milwaukee | 500 sq ft | $5,350 – $12,100 | −3% |
| Laminate flooring cost in Milwaukee | 500 sq ft | $1,950 – $6,750 | −3% |
| Tile flooring cost in Milwaukee | 200 sq ft | $2,700 – $10,100 | +3% |
Milwaukee against its nearest metros
Taking every project together, Milwaukee comes out +5% versus the national midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 4 price higher and 2 lower. Racine is the lowest at +2% (10 miles) and Chicago the highest at +21% (80 miles). These are unweighted averages of the midpoints, a rough guide to overall price level rather than a number for any one job.
| Metro | Distance | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WIthis page | 96.9 | 93.8 | +5% | |
| Racine, WI | 10 miles | 96.0 | 93.8 | +2% |
| Kenosha, WI | 20 miles | 101.1 | 106.2 | +7% |
| Sheboygan, WI | 55 miles | 94.0 | 93.8 | +3% |
| Janesville, WI | 65 miles | 93.7 | 93.8 | +6% |
| Rockford, IL | 70 miles | 92.2 | 93.6 | +8% |
| Chicago, IL | 80 miles | 103.6 | 107.3 | +21% |