Milwaukee WI vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 199,696 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 8.0% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 38.6% | 35.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 4.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 8.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tallahassee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 23.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $293,664 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 39.5% | Milwaukee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Tallahassee
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Tallahassee
1453
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 324 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1453 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.3% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 67.6°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 58.1 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, 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 324 in Tallahassee. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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