Atlanta GA vs Milwaukee WI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 39.9% | 36.5% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 38.6% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 4.8% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $51,888 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $29,679 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 23.3% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 26.6% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 41.5% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 41.8% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.7% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.1% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 14.1% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 17.3% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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