Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 10.8% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 36.5% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 4.8% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 20.7% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $51,888 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $29,679 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,837 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 23.3% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 41.5% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 41.8% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.7% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.1% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.3% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 17.3% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 35.5 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.1 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 Fresno. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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