Glendale AZ 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)

Glendale, AZ

Arizona · Population: 271,118

  • Median HH Income$121,351
  • Median Home Price$408,630
  • Unemployment3.3%
  • Bachelor's+47.5%

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
Glendale
271,118
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
26.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
41.5%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
17.3%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Milwaukee
35.5 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +

Which City is Right for You?

Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, 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 450 in Glendale. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.

Compare More Cities

About Glendale & Milwaukee