Milwaukee WI vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 26,509 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 38.7 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 7.1% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 38.6% | 3.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 3.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $344,633 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1992 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 28.3 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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