Chicago, IL vs Milwaukee, WI
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Jun 2026
Report card
| Category | ChicagoChicago, IL | MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | |||
| Affluence | Average | Soft | |
| Cost of Living | |||
| Crime | High Risk | High Risk | |
| Education | |||
| Quality of Life | Average | Great | |
| Sovereignty | Self-Reliant | Moderate | |
| Strategic | High Risk | Vulnerable |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
$48,148 per-capita income in Chicago, IL stands against $29,679 in Milwaukee, WI, a 62% higher figure for the larger city in 2023 Census data. That gap narrows for household earnings: Chicago’s median household income of $75,134 is 45% higher than Milwaukee’s $51,888, placing Chicago in the 53rd percentile and Milwaukee in the 16th. The comfortable income for a single person shows the widest split, with Chicago at $124,227 versus $33,416 in Milwaukee, a 3.7× difference that puts Chicago in the 92nd percentile and Milwaukee in the 19th; for a family of four, the same ratio holds at $182,614 against $49,122.
Housing costs follow a similar pattern. Chicago’s median home value of $315,200 is 83% higher than Milwaukee’s $172,000, and its median rent of $1,380 runs 34% above Milwaukee’s $1,033. Commutes also diverge: the average Chicago commute of 33.5 minutes is 11 minutes longer than Milwaukee’s 22.4 minutes, a gap reflected in the 95th versus 43rd percentiles. Air quality differs in the opposite direction, with Chicago’s AQI of 54 sitting 26% higher than Milwaukee’s 43, placing Chicago in the 90th percentile and Milwaukee in the 52nd.
Crime and population figures add further contrast. Milwaukee’s violent crime rate of 1,064 per 100,000 is 2.9× higher than Chicago’s 371, though Chicago’s property crime rate of 2,921 per 100,000 is 35% higher than Milwaukee’s 2,162. Unemployment runs higher in Chicago at 5.3% versus 3.8% in Milwaukee, while the poverty rate is 6.5 points higher in Milwaukee at 23.3%. Chicago’s population of 2,707,648 is 4.8× larger than Milwaukee’s 569,756, and its density of 11,889 per square mile doubles Milwaukee’s 5,924.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
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Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 11660th pctl | 7826th pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Chicago, IL 116; Milwaukee, WI 78; Chicago is 49% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $315,20057th pctl | $172,00020th pctl | Median home value: Chicago, IL $315,200; Milwaukee, WI $172,000; Chicago is 83% higher. |
| Median rent | $1,38063rd pctl | $1,03335th pctl | Median rent: Chicago, IL $1,380; Milwaukee, WI $1,033; Chicago is 34% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $75,13453rd pctl | $51,88816th pctl | Median household income: Chicago, IL $75,134; Milwaukee, WI $51,888; Chicago is 45% higher. |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $124,22792nd pctl | $33,41619th pctl | Comfortable income (single): Chicago, IL $124,227; Milwaukee, WI $33,416; Chicago is 3.7 times higher. |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $182,61492nd pctl | $49,12219th pctl | Comfortable income (family of 4): Chicago, IL $182,614; Milwaukee, WI $49,122; Chicago is 3.7 times higher. |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Affordable | Affordable | Housing affordability: Chicago, IL B+; Milwaukee, WI A+; Milwaukee is graded higher. |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in Milwaukee needs about
$50,400
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 116 vs 78). Leaves out taxes, groceries and transport. How it works →
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
Jobs & income
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 5.3%93rd pctl | 3.8%57th pctl | Unemployment: Chicago, IL 5.3%; Milwaukee, WI 3.8%; Chicago is 1.5 points higher. |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | +0.2%26th pctl | +0.4%32nd pctl | About the same |
| Per-capita income | $48,14874th pctl | $29,67920th pctl | Per-capita income: Chicago, IL $48,148; Milwaukee, WI $29,679; Chicago is 62% higher. |
| Poverty rate | 16.8%73rd pctl | 23.3%89th pctl | Poverty rate: Chicago, IL 16.8%; Milwaukee, WI 23.3%; Milwaukee is 6.5 points higher. |
| CommuteAverage commute | 33.5 min95th pctl | 22.4 min43rd pctl | Average commute: Chicago, IL 33.5 min; Milwaukee, WI 22.4 min; Chicago is 11 minutes longer. |
| Work from home | 18.3%79th pctl | 11.2%53rd pctl | Work from home: Chicago, IL 18.3%; Milwaukee, WI 11.2%; Chicago is 7.1 points higher. |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Weak | About the same |
| Job market | Stable | Strong | Job market: Chicago, IL C+; Milwaukee, WI B+; Milwaukee is graded higher. |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 37174th pctl | 1,06498th pctl | Violent crime per 100k: Chicago, IL 371; Milwaukee, WI 1,064; Milwaukee is 2.9 times higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 2,92191st pctl | 2,16280th pctl | Property crime per 100k: Chicago, IL 2,921; Milwaukee, WI 2,162; Chicago is 35% higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Rising | Falling | |
| Crime & safety | Dangerous | Dangerous | About the same |
| Traffic safety | Very SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Traffic safety: Chicago, IL A+; Milwaukee, WI B-; Chicago is graded higher. |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| HealthcareHealthcare access | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| Tap water | Clean | Clean | About the same |
| Power grid | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomesteadingHomesteading potential | Prime | Prime | About the same |
| Disaster riskNational disaster risk | High-Risk | High-Risk | About the same |
4 rows not shown (data not available)
4 rows not shown: climate comfort isn't available for Milwaukee, WI; broadband, walkability and local food access aren't available for either place.
Data: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
Taxes & laws
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | PredatoryState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ModerateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | Taxes: Chicago, IL D; Milwaukee, WI C+; Milwaukee is graded higher. |
| HomeschoolHomeschool rules | noneState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | lowState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| FirearmsFirearm laws grade | FState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | B-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| Property rightsProperty rights (eminent domain) | D+State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | C+State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| EnergyEnergy production | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. |
Data: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
Strategic location
How exposed each place is to large-scale disruption, based on distance from big cities, likely targets and natural hazards.
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 0 mi1st pctl | 4 mi3rd pctl | Nearest large city: Chicago, IL 0 mi; Milwaukee, WI 4 mi; Milwaukee is 8.8 times higher. |
| Target proximity | Weak | Fair | About the same |
| To borderDistance to international border | 276 mi40th pctl | 257 mi35th pctl | Distance to international border: Chicago, IL 276 mi; Milwaukee, WI 257 mi; Chicago is 7% higher. |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 678 mi81st pctl | 714 mi85th pctl | About the same |
| StrategicStrategic location | High Risk | Vulnerable | About the same |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648100th pctl | 569,75699th pctl | Population: Chicago, IL 2,707,648; Milwaukee, WI 569,756; Chicago is 4.8 times larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 11,88999th pctl | 5,92494th pctl | Population density (per sq mi): Chicago, IL 11,889; Milwaukee, WI 5,924; Chicago is 2.0 times higher. |
| Median age | 35.731st pctl | 32.212th pctl | Median age: Chicago, IL 35.7; Milwaukee, WI 32.2; Chicago is 3.5 years older. |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 43.3%71st pctl | 26.6%36th pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Chicago, IL 43.3%; Milwaukee, WI 26.6%; Chicago is 16.7 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 2.334th pctl | 2.445th pctl | About the same |
More about Chicago's residents · Milwaukee's residents
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
Politics
Information only. Not part of any grade, difference or summary on this page.
Moving between Chicago and Milwaukee
- Median rent: $1,380 in Chicago, $1,033 in Milwaukee
- Median home value: $315,200 in Chicago, $172,000 in Milwaukee
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 116 in Chicago, 78 in Milwaukee
- Median household income: $75,134 in Chicago, $51,888 in Milwaukee
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $182,614 in Chicago, $49,122 in Milwaukee
- Unemployment: 5.3% in Chicago, 3.8% in Milwaukee
- Average commute: 33.5 min in Chicago, 22.4 min in Milwaukee
- Violent crime per 100k: 371 in Chicago, 1,064 in Milwaukee
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More places like Chicago and Milwaukee
- Data: Cost of living: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
- Data: Jobs & income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
- Data: Safety: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
- Data: Quality of life: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
- Data: Taxes & laws: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
- Data: Strategic location: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
- Data: People: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area.
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
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