Milwaukee WI vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 71,124 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.0 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 8.3% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 32.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 38.6% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 11.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 23.2% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $327,117 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 394 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1991 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Wilmington
41.0%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 41.0% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 54.4°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 49.3 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 25.0 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, 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 394 in Wilmington. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.0%.
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