Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Baltimore, MD
VS
Milwaukee, WI
🏆 Baltimore leads 13 of 23 categories
Baltimore
Maryland
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.7⚠ High
Median Household Income
$58,349 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
423⚠ High
Population
584,548 ✓ Larger
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$49,733
Violent Crime Index
377⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
573,299
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Baltimore, MD
Pros
Households earn $8,616 more per year on average
More college-educated — 34.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 44°F vs 30°F
Smaller class sizes — 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (1606.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4157.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.9%)
Longer commutes — 30.1 min average each way
Milwaukee, WI
Pros
11% less violent crime than Baltimore
Homes cost $45k less ($157,800 vs $202,900)
Rent averages $253/mo less ($982 vs $1,235)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (5.9%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Baltimore
Cons
Violent crime (1430.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Baltimore by $8,616/yr
Property crime (2700.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Baltimore
Median Income
$8,616
$58,349 vs $49,733/yr
Baltimore
Summer Heat
7.3°F warmer
July avg high 90.1°F vs 82.8°F
Milwaukee
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 95.5 vs 102.7 (100 = US avg)
Milwaukee
Violent Crime
11% lower
1430.9 vs 1606.2 per 100k
Milwaukee
Median Home Value
$45k less
$157,800 vs $202,900
Milwaukee
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
5.9% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Milwaukee, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.7⚠ High | 95.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $202,900 | $157,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,235 | $982 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,349 ✓ Higher | $49,733 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.1 min⚠ High | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.4% ✓ Higher | 9.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 333⚠ High | 277⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 423⚠ High | 377⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 198⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) ✓ Better | C (82) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.9% ✓ Higher | 26.1% |
| High School or Higher | 87.1% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Baltimore City Public Schools | Milwaukee School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 43.7°F ✓ Warmer | 29.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.1°F ✓ Warmer | 82.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.7" | 33.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 19.3" ✓ Less | 39.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 584,548 ✓ Larger | 573,299 |
| Median Age | 36.0 ✓ Older | 31.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% ✓ Higher | 41.2% |
| Under 18 | 20.4% | 25.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.8% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Baltimore's cost of living index is 102.7 vs Milwaukee's 95.5 (US average = 100).
Milwaukee is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Baltimore leads 13 of 23 categories. Baltimore wins 13 and Milwaukee wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Baltimore to Milwaukee or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($202,900 vs $157,800 median home), income ($58,349 vs $49,733), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Baltimore, MD and Milwaukee, WI are about 645 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.