Milwaukee WI vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 205,501 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.1 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 36.5% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 38.6% | 12.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $435,532 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 326 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.9% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 47.9°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 48.1 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 27.3 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, 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 326 in Worcester. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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