Milwaukee WI vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 125,273 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 41.3 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 36.5% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 38.6% | 19.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 19.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 22.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $304,173 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Palm Bay
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Palm Bay
1453
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 324 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1453 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palm Bay + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 29.6 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, 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 324 in Palm Bay. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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