Milwaukee WI vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Westland
9.2%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 84,155 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 38.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 9.2% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 38.6% | 22.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 5.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $58,052 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 21.7% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Westland
1590
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 471 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1590 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Westland
16.6%
Westland +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.0% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 16.6% | Westland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Westland, MI | 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
Milwaukee +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Westland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 27.0 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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