Milwaukee WI vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 98,677 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 38.0 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 7.5% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 38.6% | 29.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 8.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $279,668 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1726 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Milwaukee +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 41.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 56.0°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 44.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Milwaukee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.8%.
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