Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Milwaukee
569,756
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 569,756 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 10.8% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 36.5% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $51,888 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $29,679 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 23.3% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 26.6% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 41.5% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 41.8% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.7% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.1% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.3% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.1 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, 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 Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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