Milwaukee WI vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Richmond
17.3%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 115,396 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.6 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 36.5% | 21.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 38.6% | 17.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 32.6% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $608,357 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 52.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 503 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2388 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Richmond
12.9%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.9% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 58.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 37.7 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 503 in Richmond. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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