Milwaukee WI vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 192,696 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.5 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 36.5% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 38.6% | 3.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 17.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $510,577 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Vancouver, 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%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Vancouver
19.1%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Vancouver
16.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.1% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 52.1°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 41.6 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 25.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, 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 Vancouver. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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