Milwaukee WI vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 38.6 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 36.5% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 38.6% | 5.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 11.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $538,687 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 355 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 3001 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 51.6°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 78.3 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 26.5 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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