Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 10.8% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 36.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 0.6% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 4.8% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 20.7% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Escondido +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Escondido +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $51,888 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $29,679 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,837 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 23.3% | Escondido + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 41.5% | Milwaukee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 41.8% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 14.7% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.1% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.1% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.3% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.3% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 35.5 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Escondido +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Escondido + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Escondido leads in median household income at $64,484, 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 503 in Escondido. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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