Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Milwaukee
569,756
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 569,756 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 10.8% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 36.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $51,888 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $29,679 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 23.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 26.6% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 41.5% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, 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 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Indianapolis, IN vs New York, NYIndianapolis, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Indianapolis, INHouston, TX vs Indianapolis, INIndianapolis, IN vs Phoenix, AZIndianapolis, IN vs Philadelphia, PA