Milwaukee WI vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 303,620 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.5 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 9.3% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 38.6% | 22.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 4.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $240,538 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Pittsburgh
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pittsburgh, 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%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 51.8°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 39.3 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 25.0 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, 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 Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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