Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 49.4% | 36.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 38.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $51,888 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $29,679 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 23.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 26.6% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 41.5% | Milwaukee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 41.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.3% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, 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 319 in Cincinnati. 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, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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