Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Milwaukee
32.2
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 32.2 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 10.8% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 36.5% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Gainesville +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $51,888 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $29,679 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,837 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.9% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 23.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 26.6% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 41.5% | Milwaukee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Gainesville, 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
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 41.8% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 14.7% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.1% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.3% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, 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 Gainesville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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