Milwaukee WI vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 129,239 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.5 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 36.5% | 31.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 38.6% | 2.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 16.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $720,443 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 41.2% | Milwaukee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 59.2°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 25.2 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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