Milwaukee WI vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 393,389 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 35.6 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 36.5% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 38.6% | 21.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $376,530 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Tampa
1453
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tampa, 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%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 73.4°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 46.3 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 26.8 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, 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 Tampa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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