Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 10.8% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 36.5% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 4.8% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $51,888 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $29,679 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,837 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 23.3% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 26.6% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 41.5% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 41.8% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.7% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 19.1% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 14.1% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 17.3% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 35.5 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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