Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
569,756
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 569,756 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 27.4% | 36.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 60.0% | 38.6% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $51,888 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $29,679 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $61,837 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 23.3% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 26.6% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $226,456 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 41.5% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 41.8% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.7% | Baltimore + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.1% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.1% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.3% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.3% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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