Milwaukee WI vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 287,339 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 39.3 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 36.5% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 38.6% | 9.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 16.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $507,575 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 442 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2339 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Plano +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Plano + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 27.6 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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