Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
569,756
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 569,756 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 10.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 36.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Black | 8.5% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 4.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 20.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $51,888 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $29,679 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,837 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 23.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 26.6% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 41.5% | Milwaukee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 41.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.1% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.1% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 16.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 17.3% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 35.5 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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