Living in Austin, Texas, compared to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, offers a variety of differences that potential movers or tourists may find appealing. These two cities, though sharing similarities in being vibrant urban centers, offer unique experiences in terms of safety, weather, cost of living, and more. Both cities have their distinct charms and challenges, and evaluating them across various aspects can offer a holistic understanding of which city might suit different individuals' needs and wants.
Distance between
Austin, TX and
Milwaukee, WI : 1,033.0 miles
Austin's population is larger by 69%. Its population has grown by 307,615 people (46.9%) since 2000. The population of Milwaukee has decreased by 27,644 people (4.6%) during that time.
Austin generally enjoys a lower crime rate compared to Milwaukee. While every city has its issues, Austin is often perceived as a safe city, particularly in its neighborhoods with a lower crime rate than the national average. On the other hand, Milwaukee's crime rate can be a concern, with it being above the national average. However, this does not mean that all areas of Milwaukee are dangerous as there are neighborhoods deemed quite safe, which could be better explored by potential visitors or relocators.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,411 registered sex offenders living in Austin and 2,401 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Austin is 672 to 1; the ratio in Milwaukee is 248 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a lot smaller in Austin than in Milwaukee.
Cost of Living
The cost of living is comparatively higher in Austin due to the city's rapid growth and development. Housing costs are significantly more substantial compared to Milwaukee, where the cost of living is relatively low and more affordable, making it an ideal place for families and retirees might find Milwaukee more appealing.
Income Tax
Austin residents enjoy the benefit as Texas does not levy an income tax. In contrast, Milwaukee residents are subjected to both state and city income taxes, adding to their total tax burden.
Property Tax
Austin's property taxes are relatively high compared to Milwaukee, often due to the swift rise in property values in recent years. On the other hand, Milwaukee's property taxes are lower but still significant when compared to the national average.
Sales Tax
Texas does not have state income tax, putting it at an advantage. However, Austin has a relatively high sales tax. Conversely, Wisconsin has a lower sales tax, but residents pay a state income tax.
Income
Type
Austin
Milwaukee
Estimated median household income
$79,542
$46,637
Estimated per capita income
$53,937
$26,998
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.4
97.5
If you make $50,000 in Austin, you will have to make $50,571 in Milwaukee to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Austin is marked by its scenic Hill Country, natural springs, and outdoor recreational areas, making it popular among nature-lovers. Conversely, Milwaukee, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, offers ample waterfront activities and beautiful beach spots.
Both cities prioritize education; however, Austin is home to the prestigious University of Texas, drawing students and academics globally. On the flip side, Milwaukee also offers good education institutions, though it tends to focus more on local students.
From a work and economic perspective, Austin stands tall with its booming tech industry, which continues to attract young professionals. Milwaukee's economy is manufacturing-focused, with a workforce dedicated largely to blue-collar jobs. Thus, the choice here may well depend on one's professional domain.
Biggest Employers
With a booming tech industry, Austin's biggest employers are companies like Dell, IBM, and Indeed. Milwaukee, on the other hand, is home to many manufacturing companies with Harley Davidson and Briggs & Stratton being some major employers.
There were 4,180 building permits issued in Austin in 2012 (2467 more than in 2011) compared to 28 building permits issued in Milwaukee in 2012 (103 less than in 2011).
In Austin (Travis County), 60.2% voted for Democrats and 36.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Milwaukee (Milwaukee County), 67.8% voted for Democrats and 31.6% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Austin
Milwaukee
Austin
Milwaukee
Austin
Milwaukee
2020
71.7%
69.3%
26.5%
29.4%
1.8%
1.3%
2016
65.8%
65.6%
27.2%
28.6%
7.0%
5.8%
2012
60.2%
67.8%
36.2%
31.6%
3.6%
0.5%
2008
63.8%
67.8%
34.4%
31.7%
1.8%
0.5%
2004
56.1%
62.0%
42.1%
37.5%
1.8%
0.5%
2000
41.7%
58.5%
47.0%
37.9%
11.3%
3.6%
1996
52.4%
58.3%
40.0%
32.2%
7.7%
9.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Austin
Milwaukee
Austin
Milwaukee
CATHOLIC CHURCH
17.3%
21.0%
4.5%
10.8%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
8.0%
1.3%
22.8%
4.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.4%
0.4%
2.8%
1.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.2%
1.0%
0.7%
1.1%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
2.4%
2.5%
6.7%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.9%
3.0%
2.1%
5.9%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.1%
0.7%
0.1%
3.1%
WISCONSIN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD
0.1%
2.2%
0.3%
6.0%
Weather
In terms of weather, Austin benefits from a warm climate year round, with mild, short winters, leading to plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. Contrastingly, Milwaukee experiences the full swing of four seasons, offering picturesque autumn foliage and a white Christmas, albeit with severe winters that may be less suited for those not acclimated to colder temperatures.
Weather and climate
Type
Austin
Milwaukee
Temperature - Average
68.5°F
48.1°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.2%
77%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
40%
26%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
89%
85%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
49%
59%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.7 in
33.3 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
1.4 in
95.8 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.3%
14.9%
Sunshine amount - Average
63.3%
57.6%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
34%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
72%
69%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
35%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
11 mph
Average climate in Austin, Texas
Average climate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Austin
Milwaukee
Austin
Milwaukee
Austin
Milwaukee
Austin
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Austin
Milwaukee
Austin
Milwaukee
2018
76
84
N/A
N/A
4.9
8.8
26.7
28.2
N/A
N/A
15.3
N/A
8.7
7.8
0.2
0.2
2017
76
80
N/A
N/A
4.6
8.9
29.7
27.7
N/A
N/A
14.3
N/A
8.3
6.9
0.3
0.3
2016
71
86
N/A
N/A
4.2
9.4
29.5
27.0
N/A
N/A
15.0
N/A
8.2
7.4
0.2
1.2
2015
78
78
N/A
N/A
4.4
9.6
28.9
27.2
N/A
N/A
14.9
N/A
8.6
7.8
0.3
1.1
2014
74
89
N/A
N/A
5.2
9.9
28.3
26.0
N/A
N/A
15.4
N/A
8.7
9.2
0.5
1.0
2013
78
81
0.09
N/A
5.5
10.4
29.5
26.9
N/A
N/A
15.4
N/A
8.6
9.6
0.5
0.7
2012
86
108
0.13
N/A
5.5
11.5
30.1
28.3
N/A
N/A
17.2
N/A
8.6
9.6
N/A
1.0
2011
83
95
0.11
N/A
2.6
11.4
33.0
27.3
N/A
N/A
16.2
N/A
9.1
10.1
N/A
1.2
2010
77
83
0.05
N/A
3.2
12.9
29.4
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
2009
76
69
0.05
N/A
2.6
12.2
29.7
23.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
2008
81
61
0.12
N/A
3.2
12.4
30.7
24.6
N/A
N/A
17.3
N/A
9.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
2007
82
80
0.12
N/A
3.1
14.2
27.1
24.1
N/A
N/A
19.9
N/A
9.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
2006
89
66
0.14
0.35
3.8
14.7
31.3
22.8
0.017
N/A
19.9
N/A
10.0
N/A
0.2
2.6
2005
92
99
0.15
0.36
4.4
16.6
29.0
25.1
0.015
N/A
25.4
N/A
10.7
N/A
0.2
3.1
2004
74
75
0.16
0.41
3.3
16.6
26.8
21.2
0.011
N/A
21.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.3
2003
85
76
0.26
0.41
4.2
16.7
28.9
27.1
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.1
3.3
2002
83
92
0.33
0.40
3.9
N/A
27.2
28.9
0.018
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.7
2001
83
96
0.31
0.34
4.2
15.8
25.5
28.3
0.020
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.0
2000
86
84
0.28
0.29
4.7
16.5
27.8
27.0
0.018
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.4
Natural disasters
Type
Austin
Milwaukee
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
137.9%
118.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
80.4%
109.3%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
29%
19%
Transportation
Austin, while growing, has a less robust public transportation system compared to Milwaukee, which has an extensive bus system and streetcar lines. Drivers in both cities might encounter traffic, like in any urban center.
Transport
Type
Austin
Milwaukee
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
911
202
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
21
1
Means of transportation to work
Type
Austin
Milwaukee
Bicycle
0.8%
0.5%
Bus
1.5%
4.2%
Carpooled
7.9%
8.4%
Car alone
85.9%
81.1%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.2%
Walked
2%
3.9%
Average travel time to work
Type
Austin
Milwaukee
Average
29.9 min
24.2 min
Other means
22.7 min
21.1 min
Public transportation
37.9 min
40.3 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Austin
Milwaukee
Average
1.1
1.2
Drove alone
91.2%
88.7%
In 2 person carpool
6.3%
8.4%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
1.6%
In 4 person carpool
0.6%
0.7%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.1%
0.4%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Austin's real estate market is thriving but pricey, with high demand continuously driving prices upward. Milwaukee's market, while less competitive, offers a more affordable range for homebuyers.
Neighborhoods
Austin's neighborhoods like Hyde Park, Downtown and Allandale offer a varied mix of lifestyle options. In Milwaukee, areas like Bay View, Wauwatosa, and Historic Third Ward provide unique and diverse living experiences.
Houses and residents
Type
Austin
Milwaukee
Houses
469,156
257,812
Average household size (people)
2.4
2.5
Median year apartment built
1997
1956
Median year house/condo built
1988
1952
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.1 years
14.1 years
Houses occupied
449,399 (95.8%)
232,362 (90.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
196,458 (43.7%)
96,044 (41.3%)
Houses occupied by renters
252,941 (56.3%)
136,318 (58.7%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,286
$854.05
Median monthly housing costs
$1,521
$965
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$549,769
$172,751
Estimated median house or condo value
$482,900
$160,100
Median numbers of rooms
4.4
4.9
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.4
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6
5.7
Median house price - detached houses
$595,996
$177,554
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$393,984
$161,248
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$262,826
$178,933
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$576,111
$222,376
Median house price - mobile homes
$56,102
$67,466
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$459,657
$171,473
Median house price - All housing units
$571,154
$176,965
Median house age
28
68
Renting percentage
54.9%
56.4%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,865.3
2,683.8
House value disparities
28.4%
33%
Household income disparities
44.8%
46.1%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$141,177
$72,490
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$86,430
$53,843
Housing units without a mortgage
1,799 (1.3%)
1,800 (2.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
6,421 (4.8%)
3,918 (6.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
132,628 (98.7%)
61,602 (97.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
206 (0.2%)
270 (0.4%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
8,515 (6.3%)
5,023 (7.9%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
9
13
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.9%
4.5%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.6%
1.1%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Austin
Milwaukee
One, detached
43.1%
38.9%
One, attached
5.2%
4.5%
Two
2.4%
23.5%
3 or 4
4.1%
6.3%
5 to 9
7.2%
6.3%
10 to 19
11.0%
4.1%
20 to 49
8.9%
6.6%
50 or more
17.2%
9.5%
Mobile homes
1.0%
0.3%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
38,777
10,069
State government workers
46,229
7,334
Unpaid family workers
102
199
Industries and Occupations
Austin is known as the "Silicon Hills" due to its diverse tech industry, whereas Milwaukee is famous for its brewing and manufacturing industries. The choice of city could hence depend highly on one's professional industry and job preferences.
Both cities are well-equipped in terms of healthcare. Austin is home to well-regarded healthcare facilities like Dell Children's Medical Center and St. David's Hospital, while Milwaukee has highly rated hospitals like Froedtert Hospital and the Children's Wisconsin.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Austin
Milwaukee
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Austin boasts well-developed infrastructure with rapidly growing commercial and residential districts. Milwaukee, while smaller, prides itself on its harmonious blend of old and new infrastructure, maintaining a rustic charm with its historic buildings.
Infrastructure
Type
Austin
Milwaukee
Hospitals
65
29
TV stations
20
17
Arenas or stadiums
2
3
Bank branches located here
264
146
Bank institutions located here
43
29
Main business address for public companies
44
32
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
46
24
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Austin
Milwaukee
1999
4,733
1,506
2000
2,950
1,666
2001
2,038
1,410
2002
1,772
1,157
2003
2,213
1,641
2004
2,458
2,251
2005
3,121
3,325
2006
3,367
4,218
2007
2,560
2,555
2008
1,747
719
2009
1,067
456
Culture and Food
Austin, known for its vibrant music scene and eclectic food, offers an abundance of cultural diversity. Milwaukee, while less diverse, is known for its strong German heritage, beer culture, and cheery festivals.
Sports Teams
Austin is home to a fervent college football culture due to the presence of the University of Texas' team. Milwaukee, on the other hand, is home to the Brewers (MLB), the Bucks (NBA), with Green Bay Packers (NFL) games driving statewide excitement.
Austin, TX
Milwaukee, WI
Austin, TX and 
Milwaukee, WI : 1,033.0 miles
