Milwaukee WI vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 114,303 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 36.5% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 38.6% | 1.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 18.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Provo
22.3%
Provo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $26,755 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $60,713 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 22.3% | Provo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $486,127 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 39.9% | Milwaukee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Provo
1931
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1931 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 21.5% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 53.4°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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