Milwaukee WI vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 220,482 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.3 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 36.5% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 38.6% | 10.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 13.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $496,966 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tacoma, 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%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 53.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 39.2 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 31.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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