Glendale 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)

Glendale, CA

California · Population: 192,270

  • Median HH Income$84,262
  • Median Home Price$1,205,826
  • Unemployment8.2%
  • Bachelor's+45.5%

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
192,270
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
26.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
Milwaukee
17.3%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Milwaukee
35.5 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 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
30.2 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +

Which City is Right for You?

Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 Glendale. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.

Compare More Cities

About Glendale & Milwaukee