Milwaukee WI vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 307,188 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.8 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 36.5% | 16.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 38.6% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $48,416 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $25,509 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 10.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 24.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 17.4% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $482,675 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 24.1% | Milwaukee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Newark
1426
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1426 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Milwaukee +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.0% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 23.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 18.2% | Milwaukee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 54.9°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 46.3 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 35.9 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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