Milwaukee WI vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 115,546 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.5 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 8.2% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 38.6% | 1.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 4.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $528,447 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 512 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 3234 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Westminster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 28.6 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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