Milwaukee WI vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 146,211 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 36.5% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 38.6% | 27.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 10.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $45,845 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $27,570 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 29.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 41.3% | Milwaukee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 434 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1736 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Syracuse
41.5%
Syracuse +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 41.5% | Syracuse + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.8% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 49.0°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 41.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Syracuse scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.5%.
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