Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Milwaukee
569,756
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 569,756 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 10.8% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 36.5% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 4.8% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $51,888 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $29,679 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,837 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 23.3% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 26.6% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 41.5% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 41.8% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.7% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.1% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.1% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 17.3% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, 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 344 in Chicago. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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