Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 83.6% | 36.5% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $51,888 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $29,679 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.9% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 23.3% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 26.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 41.5% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Milwaukee
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Milwaukee
1392
| Metric | Boise, ID | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 309 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1392 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 35.5 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.1 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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