Milwaukee WI vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 268,959 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.3 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 36.5% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 38.6% | 3.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $570,934 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 460 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2417 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 53.0°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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