Milwaukee WI vs Odessa 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 114,080 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 36.5% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 38.6% | 6.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 18.3% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $253,423 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Odessa, 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%
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 39.4% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 25.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 65.6°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Odessa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, 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 Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Odessa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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