Milwaukee WI vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Toledo
268,461
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Toledo
28.7%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 268,461 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 35.7 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 3.4% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 38.6% | 28.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 8.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $47,532 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $27,407 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $58,300 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 24.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 21.0% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Toledo
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 319 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1866 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Toledo
11.3%
Toledo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Milwaukee +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.6% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.3% | Toledo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 19.9% | Milwaukee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 50.6°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Toledo. 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, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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