Milwaukee WI vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 250,887 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 35.6 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 10.7% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 38.6% | 32.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 17.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $59,120 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $419,326 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, NC | 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%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 63.8°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 58.4 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, 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 Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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