Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.7% | 36.5% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 46.8% | 38.6% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $51,888 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $29,679 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 23.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $226,456 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 41.5% | Milwaukee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
42.2%
Milwaukee
41.8%
Milwaukee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Milwaukee
17.3%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 41.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.1% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.3% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 17.3% | Milwaukee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. 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, Milwaukee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.8%.
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