Boston, MA vs Milwaukee, WI
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Milwaukee
73.5
#727 nationally
Boston leads in median household income ($81,744 vs $45,318). Milwaukee leads in cost of living index (89 vs 155). Boston leads in school rating (7.2 vs 4.5).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Milwaukee, WI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 73.5 (#727) |
| Population | 684,379 | 569,330 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $230,242 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $45,318 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 23.1 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 62 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | High |
| School Rating | 7.2 | 4.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 89 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+38.5 |
D
66.2 Score
Boston, MA
Innovation hub with historic charm
Median Home
$787,763
Population
684,379
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Northeast
View Boston, MA →
C
73.5 Score
Milwaukee, WI
Brew City on the lake
Median Home
$230,242
Population
569,330
Crime
High
Schools
C
Midwest
View Milwaukee, WI →