Milwaukee WI vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 67,231 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 42.5 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 36.5% | 48.4% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 38.6% | 2.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 7.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $1,215,642 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 54.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pasadena, 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%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 67.0°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Pasadena
24.8 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.8 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, 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 Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
Milwaukee, WI vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Milwaukee, WIChicago, IL vs Milwaukee, WIHouston, TX vs Milwaukee, WIMilwaukee, WI vs Phoenix, AZMilwaukee, WI vs Philadelphia, PA