Milwaukee WI vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.8 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 36.5% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 38.6% | 7.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $59,120 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $411,323 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 450 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2150 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Phoenix
16.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 72.1°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 27.7 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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