City comparison
Yes. Milwaukee's crime index is 266 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 375 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Milwaukee is cheaper. Median rent is $1,059 a month versus $1,371 in Minneapolis.
The income gap between Milwaukee and Minneapolis is significant: $54,234 median household versus $80,846. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,059 in Milwaukee and $1,371 in Minneapolis.
This is a genuine split. Milwaukee wins on cost of living and safety and Minneapolis wins on the job market. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Milwaukee at $1,059 average has pockets that run $859 and others at $1,459: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Milwaukee and Minneapolis are 298 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,059 a month in Milwaukee to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, up $312 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $54,234 in Milwaukee to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $26,612 (49%).
The crime index goes from 266 in Milwaukee to 303 in Minneapolis, up 37 points (14%).
The move
Minneapolis and Milwaukee are 298 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,059 a month in Milwaukee, down $312 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $54,234 in Milwaukee, down $26,612 (33%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 266 in Milwaukee, down 37 points (12%).
Milwaukee, WI
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Minneapolis, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Milwaukee and Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Milwaukee rent is 23% cheaper than Minneapolis
Milwaukee
Winner$1,059/mo
Minneapolis
$1,371/mo
Typical rent runs $1,059 a month in Milwaukee versus $1,371 in Minneapolis, so Milwaukee is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $312/month back in your pocket ($3,744/year). Over five years that's $18,720 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Minneapolis, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Milwaukee is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Milwaukee? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
49% higher
Minneapolis's median income is 49% higher than Milwaukee
Milwaukee
$54,234
Minneapolis
Winner$80,846
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $54,234 in Milwaukee, so typical pay runs 49% higher in Minneapolis (about $26,612 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Minneapolis is the stronger labor market on paper. Milwaukee can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
12% lower crime
Milwaukee's crime index is 12% lower than Minneapolis
Milwaukee
Winner266 (100 = avg)
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Milwaukee's crime index is 266 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 12% lower in Milwaukee. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Milwaukee, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Minneapolis. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Milwaukee and Minneapolis are about even on typical weather.
Milwaukee
55°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 72/100
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Milwaukee averages about 55°F (61°F highs); Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs). Milwaukee averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Milwaukee is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 23% cheaper here at about $1,059 a month. Choose Milwaukee if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Milwaukee is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 12% lower than Minneapolis (266 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Minneapolis is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 49% higher here ($80,846). Start with Minneapolis if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Minneapolis posts $80,846 median household income against $54,234 in Milwaukee. That 33% pay gap is the story when rents are $1,059 in Milwaukee and $1,371 in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis still pays more locally ($80,846 median income vs $54,234), which can offset the lease if your field pays Minneapolis rates.
Safety scores read 30/100 in Milwaukee and 26/100 in Minneapolis.
Most movers who prioritize local pay land in Minneapolis; Milwaukee only makes sense when $1,059/month housing savings outweigh $80,846 median pay in your field.
Common questions
Ready to move to Milwaukee?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Milwaukee when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Milwaukee and Minneapolis, plus other cities in WI and MN.
