Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 10.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 36.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $51,888 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $29,679 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,837 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 23.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 26.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 41.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 41.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 17.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, 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 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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