Milwaukee WI vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 113,714 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 40.7 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 4.5% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 38.6% | 19.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 3.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Springfield
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 344 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1842 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Springfield
41.1%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 41.1% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 37.7 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. 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, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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