Milwaukee WI vs New Braunfels TX — 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%
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
New Braunfels
8.2%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
New Braunfels
15.7%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 267 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 39.4 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 8.2% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 38.6% | 0.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 0.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 15.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
New Braunfels
$63,758
New Braunfels +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $74,643 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $21,360 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $63,758 | New Braunfels + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 1.8% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
New Braunfels
$352,129
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $352,129 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
New Braunfels
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
New Braunfels
2339
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 442 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2339 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
New Braunfels
34.6%
New Braunfels +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
New Braunfels
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 34.6% | New Braunfels + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.6% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.0% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.0% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 67.4°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 34.0 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
New Braunfels +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
New Braunfels
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | New Braunfels + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 19.6 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, 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 442 in New Braunfels. New Braunfels has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Braunfels scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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