Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Milwaukee, WI
VS
South Gate, CA
🏆 Milwaukee leads 14 of 22 categories
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$49,733
Violent Crime Index
377⚠ High
Population
573,299 ✓ Larger
South Gate
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,188 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
138⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
92,381
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Milwaukee, WI
Pros
Homes cost $421k less ($157,800 vs $578,900)
Rent averages $418/mo less ($982 vs $1,400)
20% cheaper overall cost of living than South Gate
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (5.9%)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 26.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails South Gate by $17,455/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
South Gate, CA
Pros
63% less violent crime than Milwaukee
Households earn $17,455 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 30°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $578,900
Higher rents — median is $1,400/mo
Violent crime (525.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 20% higher than Milwaukee
Key Differences at a Glance
Milwaukee
Cost of Living
20% cheaper
COL index 95.5 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Milwaukee
Median Home Value
$421k less
$157,800 vs $578,900
Milwaukee
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.9% unemployment
South Gate
Median Income
$17,455
$67,188 vs $49,733/yr
South Gate
Violent Crime
63% lower
525.6 vs 1430.9 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | South Gate, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.5 ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $157,800 ✓ Lower | $578,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $982 ✓ Lower | $1,400⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $49,733 | $67,188 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 32.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 9.4% ✓ Higher | 6.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 277⚠ High | 152⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 377⚠ High | 138⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (82) ✓ Better | C- (72) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.1% ✓ Higher | 11.5% |
| High School or Higher | 85.4% ✓ Higher | 58.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Milwaukee School District | Westbrook Academy District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 29.7°F | 68.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.8°F ✓ Warmer | 82.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 33.8" | 14.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 39.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 573,299 ✓ Larger | 92,381 |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 44.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.7% ✓ More | 24.8% |
| Over 65 | 11.3% | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Milwaukee's cost of living index is 95.5 vs South Gate's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Milwaukee is 20% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Milwaukee leads 14 of 22 categories. Milwaukee wins 14 and South Gate wins 8. 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 Milwaukee to South Gate or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($157,800 vs $578,900 median home), income ($49,733 vs $67,188), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Milwaukee, WI and South Gate, CA are about 1,740 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.