Milwaukee WI vs Savannah GA — 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Savannah
33.7
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Savannah
37.2%
Savannah +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 147,546 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.7 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 6.7% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 37.2% | Savannah + |
| Black | 38.6% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 7.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Savannah
$32,004
Savannah +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $56,782 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $32,004 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $57,405 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Savannah
44.4%
Savannah +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $326,132 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 44.4% | Savannah + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Savannah
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Savannah
1752
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 392 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1752 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Savannah
13.8%
Savannah +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.6% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.8% | Savannah + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 66.8°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 48.0 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, 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 392 in Savannah. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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