Milwaukee WI vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 91,535 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 42.9 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 36.5% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 38.6% | 4.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 16.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $865,610 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 28.8% | Milwaukee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 65.6°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 28.0 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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