Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 10.8% | Mesa + |
| White | 69.7% | 36.5% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 20.7% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $51,888 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $29,679 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.9% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 23.3% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 41.5% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 41.8% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.7% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 19.1% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.1% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 17.3% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 35.5 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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