Milwaukee WI vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 68,505 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.5 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 36.5% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 38.6% | 9.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 3.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $61,587 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $561,069 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 47.3 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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