This comparison provides an all-inclusive analysis of life in Columbus, OH and Milwaukee, WI. By examining various factors such as crime and safety, weather conditions, cost of living, education, employment opportunities, infrastructure, and cultural amenities, among others, this analysis will allow both potential residents and visitors to make an informed choice about the respective cities.
Distance between
Columbus, OH and
Milwaukee, WI : 332.6 miles
Columbus's population is larger by 59%. Its population has grown by 195,058 people (27.4%) since 2000. The population of Milwaukee has decreased by 27,644 people (4.6%) during that time.
In terms of safety, both Columbus and Milwaukee face challenges like many large cities. Although Columbus has slightly higher crime rates as compared to the national average, its crime rates are lower than those in Milwaukee. It's always important to check specific neighborhoods and stay informed about safety measures that can bolster personal security.
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 1,506 registered sex offenders living in Columbus and 2,401 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Columbus is 573 to 1; the ratio in Milwaukee is 248 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a smaller in Columbus than in Milwaukee.
Cost of Living
Cost of living tends to be lower in Columbus, OH compared to Milwaukee, WI. This includes the costs of groceries, housing, gas, and consumer goods. Both cities, though, are more affordable than many parts of the United States.
Income Tax
Ohio has progressive income tax rates, and in Columbus, the combined state and local income tax rate is 7.5%. Wisconsin also uses a progressive income tax system, and the state's highest income tax rate, which applies to income levels over $263,480, is 7.65%.
Property Tax
The property tax rate in Columbus, OH, is 85.65 mills, or 2.79% of assessed home value. In Milwaukee, WI, the property tax rate is 2.68% of the home's value, among the highest in the country.
Sales Tax
The sales tax rate in Columbus, OH is 7.5%, which consists of 5.75% Ohio state sales tax and 1.75% Franklin County sales tax. On the other hand, the combined sales tax rate for Milwaukee, WI is 5.6% - this includes 5% Wisconsin state sales tax, 0.5% Milwaukee County sales tax, and 0.1% District tax.
Income
Type
Columbus
Milwaukee
Estimated median household income
$58,202
$46,637
Estimated per capita income
$32,392
$26,998
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.1
97.5
If you make $50,000 in Columbus, you will have to make $50,728 in Milwaukee to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Columbus is characterized by flat or gently rolling terrain, with the Olentangy and Scioto rivers providing scenic beauty. Milwaukee, on the other hand, is located on Lake Michigan's western shore, affording it a lovely lakeside environment with diverse geographical compositions.
Both cities have a solid educational foundation. Columbus, the home to the Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the U.S, is considered an educational hub offering high-quality education. Milwaukee also boasts several quality education institutions, including the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University.
Columbus and Milwaukee have diversified economies. Columbus is known for its technology, education, government, insurance, banking, fashion, defense, aviation, food, logistics, steel, energy, medical research, health care, hospitality, retail, and housing sectors. Milwaukee's economy is led by manufacturing, healthcare, and education. Both cities boast a low unemployment rate, with more opportunities in Columbus due to its wider range of industries.
Biggest Employers
In Columbus, some of the biggest employers include the Ohio State University, the state of Ohio, Honda of America, JP Morgan Chase, and Nationwide. In contrast, Milwaukee's largest employers include Aurora Health Care, Ascension Wisconsin, Froedtert Health, and Kohl's.
There were 913 building permits issued in Columbus in 2012 (246 more than in 2011) compared to 28 building permits issued in Milwaukee in 2012 (103 less than in 2011).
In Columbus (Franklin County), 60.8% voted for Democrats and 37.9% 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
Columbus
Milwaukee
Columbus
Milwaukee
Columbus
Milwaukee
2020
64.7%
69.3%
33.4%
29.4%
1.9%
1.3%
2016
59.8%
65.6%
33.9%
28.6%
6.2%
5.8%
2012
60.8%
67.8%
37.9%
31.6%
1.3%
0.5%
2008
59.8%
67.8%
39.0%
31.7%
1.2%
0.5%
2004
54.5%
62.0%
45.2%
37.5%
0.3%
0.5%
2000
48.9%
58.5%
47.9%
37.9%
3.2%
3.6%
1996
48.1%
58.3%
44.5%
32.2%
7.3%
9.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Columbus
Milwaukee
Columbus
Milwaukee
CATHOLIC CHURCH
13.2%
21.0%
5.6%
10.8%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.6%
2.4%
3.7%
6.7%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.6%
1.3%
6.8%
4.3%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.3%
1.0%
1.9%
1.1%
VINEYARD USA
1.3%
0.0%
1.2%
0.1%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.0%
0.7%
3.3%
3.1%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.4%
1.3%
1.7%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
2.0%
1.3%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.2%
3.0%
1.0%
5.9%
WISCONSIN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD
0.1%
2.2%
0.3%
6.0%
Weather
Columbus and Milwaukee both experience a typical Midwestern climate with hot summers and cold winters. However, Milwaukee, being closer to Lake Michigan, tend to have more significant snowfall compared to Columbus each winter. Columbus, OH generally enjoys milder and less snowy winters than Milwaukee, WI.
Weather and climate
Type
Columbus
Milwaukee
Temperature - Average
52.8°F
48.1°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74.8%
77%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34%
26%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
85%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
52%
59%
Precipitation - Yearly average
39.3 in
33.3 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
56.6 in
95.8 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
12%
14.9%
Sunshine amount - Average
49.7%
57.6%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
27%
34%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
55%
69%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
28%
35%
Wind speed - Average
8.2 mph
11 mph
Average climate in Columbus, Ohio
Average climate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Columbus
Milwaukee
Columbus
Milwaukee
Columbus
Milwaukee
Columbus
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Columbus
Milwaukee
Columbus
Milwaukee
Columbus
Milwaukee
2018
69
84
0.11
N/A
10.0
8.8
33.8
28.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.3
6.0
7.8
0.0
0.2
2017
68
80
0.16
N/A
9.6
8.9
28.7
27.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.3
5.5
6.9
0.1
0.3
2016
76
86
0.17
N/A
10.6
9.4
28.5
27.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.0
5.6
7.4
0.1
1.2
2015
74
78
0.16
N/A
11.3
9.6
27.0
27.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.9
6.1
7.8
0.1
1.1
2014
82
89
0.20
N/A
11.0
9.9
28.5
26.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.4
7.4
9.2
0.5
1.0
2013
78
81
N/A
N/A
8.9
10.4
29.6
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.4
7.8
9.6
0.6
0.7
2012
87
108
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.5
32.9
28.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.2
8.9
9.6
N/A
1.0
2011
89
95
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.4
28.1
27.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.2
8.9
10.1
N/A
1.2
2010
90
83
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.9
30.5
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
2009
61
69
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.2
28.7
23.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2008
65
61
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.4
31.2
24.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.3
N/A
N/A
1.8
N/A
2007
80
80
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.2
30.8
24.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
19.9
N/A
N/A
2.8
N/A
2006
75
66
N/A
0.35
N/A
14.7
30.0
22.8
0.017
N/A
23.7
19.9
N/A
N/A
3.3
2.6
2005
87
99
N/A
0.36
N/A
16.6
29.6
25.1
0.015
N/A
27.5
25.4
N/A
N/A
4.1
3.1
2004
77
75
N/A
0.41
N/A
16.6
27.8
21.2
0.011
N/A
24.6
21.4
N/A
N/A
4.4
3.3
2003
91
76
N/A
0.41
N/A
16.7
26.4
27.1
0.017
N/A
23.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.1
3.3
2002
93
92
N/A
0.40
N/A
N/A
31.3
28.9
0.018
N/A
25.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.1
3.7
2001
84
96
N/A
0.34
N/A
15.8
29.2
28.3
0.020
N/A
25.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.5
3.0
2000
57
84
N/A
0.29
N/A
16.5
N/A
27.0
0.018
N/A
23.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.7
3.4
Natural disasters
Type
Columbus
Milwaukee
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
119.1%
118.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
96.1%
109.3%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
16%
19%
Transportation
Columbus and Milwaukee are well-served by public transportation. Columbus has the COTA bus system and Milwaukee has the Milwaukee County Transit System, both offer extensive connections throughout the city. Neither city is particularly traffic-heavy, but Columbus tends to have shorter commute times on average.
Transport
Type
Columbus
Milwaukee
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
415
202
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
4
1
Means of transportation to work
Type
Columbus
Milwaukee
Bicycle
0.6%
0.5%
Bus
1.6%
4.2%
Carpooled
7.4%
8.4%
Car alone
86.7%
81.1%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.2%
Walked
2.2%
3.9%
Average travel time to work
Type
Columbus
Milwaukee
Average
26.1 min
24.2 min
Other means
21.7 min
21.1 min
Public transportation
35.4 min
40.3 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Columbus
Milwaukee
Average
1.1
1.2
Drove alone
90.7%
88.7%
In 2 person carpool
7.3%
8.4%
In 3 person carpool
1.4%
1.6%
In 4 person carpool
0.5%
0.7%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.1%
0.4%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Columbus' real estate market is very attractive, with median home prices being lower than the national average, but it's also quite competitive. In Milwaukee, housing can be slightly more expensive than Columbus, but there are also neighborhoods with affordable housing options.
Neighborhoods
Both cities have highly diverse neighborhoods with their unique character. Columbus' neighborhoods like German Village and Clintonville are popular with families and young professionals due to their vibrant culture and proximity to downtown. Milwaukee's neighborhoods like East Side and Bay View are known for their bustling local dining and shopping scenes, as well as their proximity to Lake Michigan.
Houses and residents
Type
Columbus
Milwaukee
Houses
422,120
257,812
Average household size (people)
2.3
2.5
Median year apartment built
1982
1956
Median year house/condo built
1977
1952
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.6 years
14.1 years
Houses occupied
390,605 (92.5%)
232,362 (90.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
175,427 (44.9%)
96,044 (41.3%)
Houses occupied by renters
215,178 (55.1%)
136,318 (58.7%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,371
$854.05
Median monthly housing costs
$1,110
$965
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$195,022
$172,751
Estimated median house or condo value
$219,200
$160,100
Median numbers of rooms
5
4.9
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.2
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
5.7
Median house price - detached houses
$233,452
$177,554
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$121,729
$161,248
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$215,337
$178,933
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$240,711
$222,376
Median house price - mobile homes
$121,578
$67,466
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$218,726
$171,473
Median house price - All housing units
$229,736
$176,965
Median house age
42
68
Renting percentage
53%
56.4%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,007.5
2,683.8
House value disparities
30.2%
33%
Household income disparities
42.4%
46.1%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$89,058
$72,490
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$59,295
$53,843
Housing units without a mortgage
4,290 (3.3%)
1,800 (2.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
10,651 (8.2%)
3,918 (6.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
125,487 (96.7%)
61,602 (97.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
775 (0.6%)
270 (0.4%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
13,558 (10.4%)
5,023 (7.9%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
10
13
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.6%
4.5%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.3%
1.1%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Columbus
Milwaukee
One, detached
45.8%
38.9%
One, attached
9.1%
4.5%
Two
4.0%
23.5%
3 or 4
8.6%
6.3%
5 to 9
11.8%
6.3%
10 to 19
8.6%
4.1%
20 to 49
4.5%
6.6%
50 or more
6.8%
9.5%
Mobile homes
0.8%
0.3%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
20,915
10,069
State government workers
31,881
7,334
Unpaid family workers
724
199
Industries and Occupations
The prominent industries in Columbus include education, insurance, fashion, and healthcare. Professionals in these industries will discover abundant opportunities here, but the job market is very diverse. In contrast, Milwaukee is known for its manufacturing sector, although healthcare and education also play a crucial role in the city's economy.
Both cities boast excellent healthcare options. Columbus's healthcare network is boosted by the presence of The Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center, a nationally ranked hospital. Milwaukee also provides high-quality healthcare, with several top-rated hospitals, including the Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Columbus
Milwaukee
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Both cities have robust infrastructure systems. Columbus is notable for its highly developed freeways, and Milwaukee is known for its well-maintained roads and bridges. Both cities are served by international airports and have an efficient public transit system.
Infrastructure
Type
Columbus
Milwaukee
Hospitals
47
29
TV stations
14
17
Arenas or stadiums
3
3
Bank branches located here
200
146
Bank institutions located here
25
29
Main business address for public companies
23
32
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
17
24
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Columbus
Milwaukee
1999
2,450
1,506
2000
2,376
1,666
2001
1,897
1,410
2002
1,483
1,157
2003
2,087
1,641
2004
3,216
2,251
2005
4,275
3,325
2006
4,662
4,218
2007
2,679
2,555
2008
1,015
719
2009
555
456
Culture and Food
Columbus and Milwaukee both offer rich cultural experiences. Columbus is known for its arts scene and is home to several professional theater companies, art galleries, and the Columbus Museum of Art. When it comes to food, Columbus provides a broad assortment of global cuisine due to its diverse population. Milwaukee, on the other hand, is well-known for its brewing tradition and food scene which includes German, Polish, and Italian fare to highlight its immigrant roots.
Sports Teams
In terms of sports, Columbus is home to NHL's Blue Jackets, MLS' Columbus Crew, and the Ohio State University's Buckeyes. Milwaukee is better known nationally for their sports, with NBA's Milwaukee Bucks, MLB's Milwaukee Brewers, and the Green Bay Packers of the NFL just a short drive away.
Columbus, OH
Milwaukee, WI
Columbus, OH and 
Milwaukee, WI : 332.6 miles
