Milwaukee WI vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 161,993 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 36.5% | 21.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 38.6% | 1.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $28,813 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 15.5% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $751,711 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Salinas, 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%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 22.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 57.3°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 28.8 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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