Milwaukee WI vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Waco
9.8%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 141,925 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 9.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 38.6% | 20.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $51,468 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $28,819 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 24.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 442 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2339 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.4% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 20.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 66.6°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 36.4 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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