Milwaukee WI vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 119,508 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 40.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 36.5% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 38.6% | 31.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $399,650 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
West Palm Beach
1453
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 324 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1453 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
West Palm Beach
13.7%
West Palm Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.7% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 75.4°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 62.3 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 25.0 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, 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 324 in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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