Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 10.8% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 36.5% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.8% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 20.7% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $51,888 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $29,679 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $61,837 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 23.3% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 41.5% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Gresham +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 41.8% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 14.7% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.1% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.3% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.3% | Gresham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, 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 355 in Gresham. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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