Milwaukee WI vs San Diego 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 36.0 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 36.5% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 38.6% | 5.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $1,006,261 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 47.6% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Diego, 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 Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 61.6°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 25.9 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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