Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Milwaukee, WI
VS
Wilmington, NC
🏆 Wilmington leads 16 of 23 categories
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
Wilmington
North Carolina
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.1
Median Household Income
$58,908 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
116,933
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Milwaukee, WI
Pros
Homes cost $161k less ($157,800 vs $318,600)
Rent averages $231/mo less ($982 vs $1,213)
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 90°F
Cons
Violent crime (1430.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Wilmington by $9,175/yr
Property crime (2700.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.9%)
Wilmington, NC
Pros
66% less violent crime than Milwaukee
Households earn $9,175 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (4.9%)
More college-educated — 43.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 30°F
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $318,600
Violent crime (482.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3514.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Milwaukee
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 95.5 vs 97.1 (100 = US avg)
Milwaukee
Median Home Value
$161k less
$157,800 vs $318,600
Wilmington
Median Income
$9,175
$58,908 vs $49,733/yr
Wilmington
Violent Crime
66% lower
482.8 vs 1430.9 per 100k
Wilmington
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
4.9% vs 5.9% unemployment
Wilmington
Summer Heat
7.2°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 82.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Wilmington, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.5 ✓ Cheaper | 97.1 |
| Median Home Value | $157,800 ✓ Lower | $318,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $982 ✓ Lower | $1,213 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $49,733 | $58,908 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.4% | 14.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 277⚠ High | 143⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 377⚠ High | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer | 167⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (82) | B+ (109) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.5:1 | 15.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.1% | 43.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.4% | 93.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Milwaukee School District | New Hanover County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 29.7°F | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.8°F | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 33.8" ✓ Drier | 60.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 39.5" | 0.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 573,299 ✓ Larger | 116,933 |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 45.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.7% ✓ More | 16.8% |
| Over 65 | 11.3% | 17.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Milwaukee's cost of living index is 95.5 vs Wilmington's 97.1 (US average = 100).
Milwaukee is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Wilmington leads 16 of 23 categories. Milwaukee wins 7 and Wilmington wins 16. 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 Wilmington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($157,800 vs $318,600 median home), income ($49,733 vs $58,908), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Milwaukee, WI and Wilmington, NC are about 817 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.