Milwaukee WI vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 35.1 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.5% | 36.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 38.6% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 15.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $233,814 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 319 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1613 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 57.1°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 48.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 34.5 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, 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 319 in Philadelphia. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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