Milwaukee WI vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 44,998 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 57.8 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 36.5% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 38.6% | 5.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 4.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $503,393 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 503 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2388 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 63.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.1 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 503 in Palmdale. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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