Milwaukee WI vs Spokane Valley WA — 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 105,460 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.6 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 5.1% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 38.6% | 1.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 7.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 24.8% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $414,734 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Spokane Valley
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 383 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 3409 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, 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 383 in Spokane Valley. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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