Milwaukee WI vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 107,699 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 4.7% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 38.6% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 5.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $48,536 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $51,690 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 23.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $231,461 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 400 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1734 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Milwaukee +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 42.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 21.3% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 65.0°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 55.0 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, 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 400 in Tuscaloosa. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Milwaukee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.8%.
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