Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Milwaukee
569,756
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 569,756 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 25.0% | 36.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 62.9% | 38.6% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $51,888 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $29,679 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 23.3% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 26.6% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $226,456 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 41.5% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Milwaukee
41.8%
Milwaukee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Milwaukee
17.3%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 41.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.3% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 17.3% | Milwaukee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 24.1 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Milwaukee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.8%.
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