Milwaukee WI vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.9 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 36.5% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 38.6% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 4.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 11.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $580,173 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 41.1% | Milwaukee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 398 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1999 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 24.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 32.8 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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