Milwaukee WI vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 79,526 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 40.7 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 36.5% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 38.6% | 5.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 4.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $514,358 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1992 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Plymouth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.5 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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