Milwaukee WI vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Saint Paul
307,762
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 307,762 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.5 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 36.5% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 38.6% | 16.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 9.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $297,021 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1992 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.1 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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