El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Milwaukee
569,756
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 569,756 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 10.8% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 36.5% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 20.7% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $51,888 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $29,679 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,837 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 23.3% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 26.6% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 41.5% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 41.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.1% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 14.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.3% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 35.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, 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 442 in El Paso. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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