Milwaukee WI vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
New Orleans
376,035
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 376,035 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 38.4 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 6.6% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 31.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 38.6% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 7.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $55,339 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $55,297 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 22.6% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $245,988 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 643 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2824 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.4% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 66.6 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.6 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, 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 643 in New Orleans. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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