Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Milwaukee
569,756
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 569,756 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 11.7% | 36.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 76.8% | 38.6% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $51,888 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $29,679 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 23.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $226,456 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 41.5% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Milwaukee
41.8%
Milwaukee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Milwaukee
17.3%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 41.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.1% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.3% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 17.3% | Milwaukee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 35.5 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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