Milwaukee WI vs San Marcos TX — 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 99,507 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 35.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 5.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 38.6% | 4.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 24.9% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $313,452 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 442 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2339 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 22.3% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 19.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 68.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 35.7 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, 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 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
Compare More Cities
Milwaukee, WI vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Milwaukee, WIChicago, IL vs Milwaukee, WIHouston, TX vs Milwaukee, WIMilwaukee, WI vs Phoenix, AZMilwaukee, WI vs Philadelphia, PA