Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Milwaukee
569,756
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Houston
35.5%
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 569,756 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 10.8% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 36.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 22.9% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.8% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 20.7% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $51,888 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $29,679 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,837 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 23.3% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 26.6% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 41.5% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 41.8% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.7% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 19.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 14.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.3% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 442 in Houston. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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