Davenport IA 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)
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Davenport
101,083
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Davenport
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Davenport
37.8
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Davenport
4.6%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Davenport
11.2%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Davenport
1.9%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Davenport
9.1%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Davenport
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,083 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 75.9% | 36.5% | Davenport + |
| Black | 11.2% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Davenport
$64,497
Davenport +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Davenport
$36,583
Davenport +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Davenport
$61,226
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Davenport
4.8%
Davenport +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Davenport
15.6%
Davenport +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Davenport
30.0%
Davenport +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,497 | $51,888 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,583 | $29,679 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.9% | Davenport + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 23.3% | Davenport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 26.6% | Davenport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,117 | $226,456 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 41.5% | Davenport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Milwaukee
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
1452
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 309 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
42.6%
Milwaukee
41.8%
Milwaukee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
11.7%
Davenport +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Davenport
17.8%
Davenport +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Davenport
21.1%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Davenport
16.2%
Davenport +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 41.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.7% | Davenport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.1% | Davenport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.1% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.1% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.3% | Davenport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
49.3°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
36.0 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.3°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.0 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Davenport
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.1 min | Davenport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Davenport leads in median household income at $64,497, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Davenport has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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