Milwaukee WI vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
183,483
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 183,483 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.5 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 2.6% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 36.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 38.6% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 3.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Shreveport
$33,788
Shreveport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Shreveport
27.5%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $48,465 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $33,788 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $55,297 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 23.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 27.5% | Shreveport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 643 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2824 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 43.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 17.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 52.7 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Shreveport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Shreveport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Milwaukee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.8%.
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