Milwaukee WI vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Orem
33.3
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Orem
10.5%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 86,973 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.3 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 10.5% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 38.6% | 1.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $33,579 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $60,713 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 25.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $509,396 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1931 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 52.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.5 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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