Milwaukee WI vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Yonkers
209,529
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Yonkers
38.0%
Yonkers +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Yonkers
17.3%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 209,529 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 39.0 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 36.5% | 38.0% | Yonkers + |
| Black | 38.6% | 17.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Yonkers
35.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 35.2% | Yonkers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Yonkers
47.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $685,544 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 47.2% | Yonkers + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Yonkers
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Yonkers
1736
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 434 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1736 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Yonkers
12.4%
Yonkers +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Yonkers
12.7%
Yonkers +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.4% | Yonkers + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.7% | Yonkers + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Yonkers + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 37.5 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, 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 434 in Yonkers. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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