City comparison
Yes. Washington's crime index is 223 versus 266 in Milwaukee, and its violent crime index is 243 versus 375, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Milwaukee is cheaper. Median rent is $1,059 a month versus $1,954 in Washington.
The income gap between Washington and Milwaukee is significant: $109,870 median household versus $54,234. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,954 in Washington and $1,059 in Milwaukee.
Washington is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Milwaukee makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Washington is the stronger move.
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
Washington and Milwaukee are 635 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,954 a month in Washington to $1,059 a month in Milwaukee, down $895 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $109,870 in Washington to $54,234 in Milwaukee, down $55,636 (51%).
The crime index goes from 223 in Washington to 266 in Milwaukee, up 43 points (19%).
The move
Milwaukee and Washington are 635 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,059 a month in Milwaukee to $1,954 a month in Washington, up $895 a month (85%).
Median household income goes from $54,234 in Milwaukee to $109,870 in Washington, up $55,636 (103%).
The crime index goes from 266 in Milwaukee to 223 in Washington, down 43 points (16%).
Washington, DC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Milwaukee, WI
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Washington and Milwaukee? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
46% cheaper
Milwaukee rent is 46% cheaper than Washington
Washington
$1,954/mo
Milwaukee
Winner$1,059/mo
Typical rent runs $1,059 a month in Milwaukee versus $1,954 in Washington, so Milwaukee is 46% cheaper. That's roughly $895/month back in your pocket ($10,740/year). Over five years that's $53,700 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 Washington, 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 Washington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
103% higher
Washington's median income is 103% higher than Milwaukee
Washington
Winner$109,870
Milwaukee
$54,234
Median household income is $109,870 in Washington versus $54,234 in Milwaukee, so typical pay runs 103% higher in Washington (about $55,636 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, Washington 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
16% lower crime
Washington's crime index is 16% lower than Milwaukee
Washington
Winner223 (100 = avg)
Milwaukee
266 (100 = avg)
Washington's crime index is 223 versus 266 in Milwaukee (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 16% lower in Washington. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Washington is the easier city. Milwaukee can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
4% more comfortable
Washington weather is 4% more comfortable than Milwaukee
Washington
Winner56°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 75/100
Milwaukee
55°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 72/100
Washington averages about 56°F (63°F highs); Milwaukee averages about 55°F (61°F highs). Washington averages around 56°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Milwaukee averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Washington scores 4% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Milwaukee if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 103% higher ($109,870), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 56°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Washington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 16% lower than Milwaukee (223 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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Milwaukee
Milwaukee is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 46% 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.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Milwaukee at $1,059/month versus $1,954 in Washington ($895 apart). Washington median income is $109,870 against $54,234 in Milwaukee, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Milwaukee rent at $1,059/month is still below Washington's $1,954, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 36/100 in Washington and 30/100 in Milwaukee.
Pick Milwaukee when shaving $895 off rent at $1,059/month is the priority. Otherwise, Washington's case rests on $1,954/month rent with $109,870 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Washington when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Washington and Milwaukee, plus other cities in DC and WI.
