Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Miami
34.2%
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 10.8% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 36.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 13.7% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 20.7% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $51,888 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $29,679 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,837 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 23.3% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 26.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 41.5% | Milwaukee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 41.8% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 19.1% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 14.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 17.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Miami +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Miami + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, 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 324 in Miami. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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