Milwaukee WI vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
San Bernardino
221,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
San Bernardino
4.1%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 221,774 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 36.5% | 27.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 38.6% | 11.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 4.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
San Bernardino
19.5%
San Bernardino +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $63,988 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $23,980 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 19.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 12.8% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
San Bernardino
48.5%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $492,059 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 48.5% | San Bernardino + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
San Bernardino
2388
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Bernardino, 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%
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
San Bernardino
13.6%
San Bernardino +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
San Bernardino
15.1%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 37.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.0% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 20.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 15.1% | San Bernardino + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Bernardino, CA | 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
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Bernardino + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 30.7 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, 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 San Bernardino. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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