Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Longmont, CO
VS
Milwaukee, WI
🏆 Longmont leads 16 of 23 categories
Longmont
Colorado
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$89,720 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
98,282
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
7
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.
Longmont, CO
Pros
Households earn $39,987 more per year on average
67% less violent crime than Milwaukee
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 46.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 30°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $488,100
Higher rents — median is $1,689/mo
Violent crime (469.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2618.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Milwaukee, WI
Pros
Homes cost $330k less ($157,800 vs $488,100)
Rent averages $707/mo less ($982 vs $1,689)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Longmont
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 91°F
Cons
Median income trails Longmont by $39,987/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
Longmont
Median Income
$39,987
$89,720 vs $49,733/yr
Longmont
Violent Crime
67% lower
469.3 vs 1430.9 per 100k
Longmont
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
4.1% vs 5.9% unemployment
Longmont
Summer Heat
8.0°F warmer
July avg high 90.8°F vs 82.8°F
Milwaukee
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 95.5 vs 103.4 (100 = US avg)
Milwaukee
Median Home Value
$330k less
$157,800 vs $488,100
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Longmont, CO | Milwaukee, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.4⚠ High | 95.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $488,100⚠ High | $157,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,689⚠ High | $982 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $89,720 ✓ Higher | $49,733 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.4 min | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 17.2% ✓ Higher | 9.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer | 277⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer | 377⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 125⚠ 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 | 16.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 46.0% ✓ Higher | 26.1% |
| High School or Higher | 92.4% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J | Milwaukee School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 44.5°F ✓ Warmer | 29.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.8°F ✓ Warmer | 82.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 16.1" ✓ Drier | 33.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.4" | 39.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 98,282 | 573,299 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.7 ✓ Older | 31.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% ✓ Higher | 41.2% |
| Under 18 | 20.4% | 25.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Longmont's cost of living index is 103.4 vs Milwaukee's 95.5 (US average = 100).
Milwaukee is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Longmont leads 16 of 23 categories. Longmont wins 16 and Milwaukee wins 7. 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 Longmont to Milwaukee or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($488,100 vs $157,800 median home), income ($89,720 vs $49,733), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Longmont, CO and Milwaukee, WI are about 906 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.