Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Miami Gardens, FL
VS
Milwaukee, WI
🏆 Milwaukee leads 12 of 23 categories
Miami Gardens
Florida
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$56,071 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
109⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
111,618
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
12
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.
Miami Gardens, FL
Pros
71% less violent crime than Milwaukee
Milder winters — January highs near 75°F vs 30°F
Households earn $6,338 more per year on average
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,583/mo
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Milwaukee
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Higher unemployment (7.9% vs 5.9%)
Milwaukee, WI
Pros
Homes cost $142k less ($157,800 vs $299,700)
Rent averages $601/mo less ($982 vs $1,583)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (5.9%)
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Miami Gardens
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 26.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
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
Median income trails Miami Gardens by $6,338/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Miami Gardens
Median Income
$6,338
$56,071 vs $49,733/yr
Miami Gardens
Violent Crime
71% lower
414.6 vs 1430.9 per 100k
Miami Gardens
Summer Heat
6.8°F warmer
July avg high 89.6°F vs 82.8°F
Milwaukee
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 95.5 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Milwaukee
Median Home Value
$142k less
$157,800 vs $299,700
Milwaukee
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Milwaukee, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.8⚠ High | 95.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $299,700 | $157,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,583⚠ High | $982 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $56,071 ✓ Higher | $49,733 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.3 min⚠ High | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.5% | 9.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 277⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer | 377⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (84) ✓ Better | C (82) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.4:1 | 16.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 17.7% | 26.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.4% | 85.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | MIAMI-DADE | Milwaukee School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 75.2°F ✓ Warmer | 29.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.6°F ✓ Warmer | 82.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 68.3" | 33.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 39.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 111,618 | 573,299 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.2 ✓ Older | 31.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.7% ✓ Higher | 41.2% |
| Under 18 | 22.7% | 25.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.6% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Miami Gardens's cost of living index is 111.8 vs Milwaukee's 95.5 (US average = 100).
Milwaukee is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Milwaukee leads 12 of 23 categories. Miami Gardens wins 11 and Milwaukee wins 12. 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 Miami Gardens to Milwaukee or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($299,700 vs $157,800 median home), income ($56,071 vs $49,733), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Miami Gardens, FL and Milwaukee, WI are about 1,260 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.