Milwaukee WI vs Minneapolis MN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Minneapolis
426,845
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 426,845 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.0 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 36.5% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 38.6% | 18.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 10.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $334,719 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1992 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.2 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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