Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Irving, TX
VS
Milwaukee, WI
🏆 Irving leads 14 of 23 categories
Irving
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,686 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
254,962
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$49,733
Violent Crime Index
377⚠ High
Population
573,299 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Irving, TX
Pros
81% less violent crime than Milwaukee
Households earn $26,953 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (4.1%)
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 30°F
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,423/mo
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI
Pros
Homes cost $102k less ($157,800 vs $259,500)
Rent averages $441/mo less ($982 vs $1,423)
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 96°F
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Irving
Cons
Median income trails Irving by $26,953/yr
Violent crime (1430.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2700.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Irving
Median Income
$26,953
$76,686 vs $49,733/yr
Irving
Violent Crime
81% lower
275.4 vs 1430.9 per 100k
Irving
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
4.1% vs 5.9% unemployment
Irving
Summer Heat
12.8°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°F vs 82.8°F
Milwaukee
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 95.5 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Milwaukee
Median Home Value
$102k less
$157,800 vs $259,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Irving, TX | Milwaukee, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 95.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $259,500 | $157,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,423⚠ High | $982 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,686 ✓ Higher | $49,733 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.0% ✓ Higher | 9.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 ✓ Safer | 277⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 377⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | C (82) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% ✓ Higher | 26.1% |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 85.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | IRVING ISD | Milwaukee School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer | 29.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer | 82.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.0" | 33.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.6" ✓ Less | 39.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 254,962 | 573,299 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.4 ✓ Older | 31.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 41.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.4% ✓ More | 25.7% |
| Over 65 | 8.3% | 11.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Irving's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Milwaukee's 95.5 (US average = 100).
Milwaukee is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Irving leads 14 of 23 categories. Irving wins 14 and Milwaukee wins 9. 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 Irving to Milwaukee or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($259,500 vs $157,800 median home), income ($76,686 vs $49,733), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Irving, TX and Milwaukee, WI are about 858 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.