Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Milwaukee
569,756
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Milwaukee
32.2
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 569,756 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 38.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $51,888 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $29,679 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $61,837 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 23.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 26.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 41.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Milwaukee
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 309 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Grand Island +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Grand Island +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 41.8% | Grand Island + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.7% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 19.1% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.3% | Grand Island + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 35.5 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Island scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.5%.
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