Overview
Memphis, TN and Milwaukee, WI are cities with distinct cultural, economic, and geographical characteristics which provide a unique living and visiting experience. This comparison covers crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, work and economy, and several other essential aspects of both cities. The information provided is meant to help potential re-locators and tourists understand what life in these cities entails.
Distance between
Memphis, TN and
Milwaukee, WI : 558.7 miles
Memphis's population is larger by 10%. Its population has decreased by 21,973 people (3.4%) since 2000. The population of Milwaukee has decreased by 27,644 people (4.6%) during that time.
Four Milan and his crime rates are relatively high compared to the national average. It's recommended for residents and visitors alike to stay informed about the safest areas. On the other hand, Milwaukee also has higher-than-average crime rates but it has seen improvement over the years. Some neighborhoods are much safer than others.
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 2,629 registered sex offenders living in Memphis and 2,401 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Memphis is 248 to 1; the ratio in Milwaukee is 248 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents in Memphis is near to than in Milwaukee.
Cost of Living
Memphis is known for its low cost of living, which is below the national average. This encompasses housing, groceries, healthcare, and transportation costs. Milwaukee, while slightly more expensive than Memphis, still has a cost of living below the national average.
Income Tax
Tennessee has no state income tax. However, Wisconsin has state income tax, with rates ranging from 4% to 7.65% based on income.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Memphis are higher than the Tennessee average, but lower than the national average. Property taxes in Milwaukee are one of the highest in the nation.
Sales Tax
Tennessee has a high sales tax rate, and when combined with Memphis's local tax rate it totals to about 9.25%. Wisconsin's sales tax is comparably lower, and Milwaukee's total sales tax is 5.6%.
Income
Type
Memphis
Milwaukee
Estimated median household income
$44,317
$46,637
Estimated per capita income
$28,571
$26,998
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
85.5
97.5
If you make $50,000 in Memphis, you will have to make $57,018 in Milwaukee to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Memphis lies on the Mississippi River with a relatively flat terrain. Milwaukee is on the western shore of Lake Michigan.
Both cities are home to several higher education institutions. Memphis is known for the University of Memphis and Rhodes College, while Milwaukee hosts the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University. School districts in both cities have a diverse range of quality.
Memphis's economy is driven by several industries including transportation, healthcare, and professional services. Milwaukee's economy is more diverse with manufacturing, healthcare, and education being the top sectors.
Biggest Employers
In Memphis, FedEx, the City of Memphis, and AutoZone are large employers. For Milwaukee, Aurora Health Care, Ascension Wisconsin, and Roundy's Supermarkets employ many residents.
In Memphis (Shelby County), 62.9% voted for Democrats and 36.7% 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
Memphis
Milwaukee
Memphis
Milwaukee
Memphis
Milwaukee
2020
64.8%
69.3%
34.2%
29.4%
1.1%
1.3%
2016
62.3%
65.6%
34.7%
28.6%
3.1%
5.8%
2012
62.9%
67.8%
36.7%
31.6%
0.4%
0.5%
2008
63.8%
67.8%
36.2%
31.7%
0.0%
0.5%
2004
57.7%
62.0%
42.0%
37.5%
0.3%
0.5%
2000
56.8%
58.5%
42.3%
37.9%
0.9%
3.6%
1996
78.9%
58.3%
19.6%
32.2%
1.5%
9.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Memphis
Milwaukee
Memphis
Milwaukee
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
14.8%
1.3%
15.1%
4.3%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
6.5%
21.0%
2.7%
10.8%
EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1.5%
0.0%
0.7%
0.0%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
0.4%
1.8%
1.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.5%
1.0%
0.8%
1.1%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.4%
3.0%
1.0%
5.9%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.0%
0.6%
0.1%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
0.9%
1.3%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.3%
0.7%
0.6%
3.1%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.1%
2.4%
0.4%
6.7%
WISCONSIN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD
0.0%
2.2%
0.1%
6.0%
Weather
Memphis experiences a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild to chilly winters. Milwaukee's weather is more diverse - humid continental climate - with hot summers and freezing, snowy winters. Milwaukee's proximity to Lake Michigan can also influence the city's weather, causing 'lake effect' snow and storms.
Weather and climate
Type
Memphis
Milwaukee
Temperature - Average
61.9°F
48.1°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74%
77%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
33%
26%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
85%
85%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
52%
59%
Precipitation - Yearly average
54.3 in
33.3 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
8.6 in
95.8 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.7%
14.9%
Sunshine amount - Average
68.7%
57.6%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
24%
34%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
69%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
35%
Wind speed - Average
8.8 mph
11 mph
Average climate in Memphis, Tennessee
Average climate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Memphis
Milwaukee
Memphis
Milwaukee
Memphis
Milwaukee
Memphis
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Memphis
Milwaukee
Memphis
Milwaukee
Memphis
Milwaukee
2018
81
84
0.24
N/A
10.4
8.8
27.1
28.2
N/A
N/A
19.0
15.3
8.1
7.8
0.4
0.2
2017
74
80
0.24
N/A
10.2
8.9
28.1
27.7
N/A
N/A
17.5
14.3
7.9
6.9
0.3
0.3
2016
76
86
0.24
N/A
10.2
9.4
28.8
27.0
N/A
N/A
19.6
15.0
8.5
7.4
0.9
1.2
2015
77
78
0.26
N/A
11.1
9.6
26.9
27.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.9
9.2
7.8
1.0
1.1
2014
75
89
0.27
N/A
10.1
9.9
26.5
26.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.4
9.9
9.2
1.3
1.0
2013
74
81
0.31
N/A
8.3
10.4
26.6
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.4
10.2
9.6
1.0
0.7
2012
94
108
0.32
N/A
9.3
11.5
29.7
28.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.2
10.7
9.6
0.6
1.0
2011
93
95
0.34
N/A
10.0
11.4
29.0
27.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.2
11.1
10.1
0.5
1.2
2010
95
83
0.43
N/A
10.3
12.9
27.9
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
2009
86
69
0.35
N/A
8.7
12.2
24.9
23.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
2008
94
61
0.36
N/A
10.3
12.4
26.3
24.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.3
13.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
2007
106
80
0.47
N/A
11.2
14.2
26.7
24.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
19.9
14.8
N/A
5.6
N/A
2006
108
66
0.43
0.35
13.0
14.7
26.8
22.8
0.017
N/A
N/A
19.9
14.7
N/A
6.3
2.6
2005
110
99
0.46
0.36
10.1
16.6
26.9
25.1
0.015
N/A
N/A
25.4
17.9
N/A
4.9
3.1
2004
98
75
0.51
0.41
N/A
16.6
24.9
21.2
0.011
N/A
N/A
21.4
14.5
N/A
5.9
3.3
2003
110
76
0.57
0.41
20.1
16.7
25.3
27.1
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.0
N/A
5.8
3.3
2002
110
92
0.58
0.40
20.4
N/A
25.1
28.9
0.018
N/A
15.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.5
3.7
2001
111
96
0.66
0.34
24.7
15.8
26.0
28.3
0.020
N/A
22.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.1
3.0
2000
103
84
0.63
0.29
25.2
16.5
26.2
27.0
0.018
N/A
24.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.4
3.4
Natural disasters
Type
Memphis
Milwaukee
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
198.6%
118.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
474%
109.3%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
18%
19%
Transportation
Memphis offers a variety of public transit options via the MATA system. Milwaukee has the Milwaukee County Transit System and a streetcar service downtown, "The Hop".
Transport
Type
Memphis
Milwaukee
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
1
202
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
52
1
Means of transportation to work
Type
Memphis
Milwaukee
Bicycle
0%
0.5%
Bus
0.4%
4.2%
Carpooled
7.5%
8.4%
Car alone
88.8%
81.1%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.2%
Walked
1.2%
3.9%
Average travel time to work
Type
Memphis
Milwaukee
Average
27 min
24.2 min
Other means
22.5 min
21.1 min
Public transportation
43.5 min
40.3 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Memphis
Milwaukee
Average
1.1
1.2
Drove alone
89.9%
88.7%
In 2 person carpool
7.9%
8.4%
In 3 person carpool
1.6%
1.6%
In 4 person carpool
0.4%
0.7%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.2%
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
Memphis real estate prices are lower than national average, and the city is known for affordable housing. Milwaukee has a more balanced market, with house prices around the national average.
Neighborhoods
Memphis neighborhoods like Germantown and Collierville are popular for their safety and community feel. Milwaukee's diverse neighborhoods like the Third Ward and Bay View are famous for their vibrant culture.
Houses and residents
Type
Memphis
Milwaukee
Houses
288,491
257,812
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.5
Median year apartment built
1972
1956
Median year house/condo built
1967
1952
Length of stay in the house since moving in
16.2 years
14.1 years
Houses occupied
256,968 (89.1%)
232,362 (90.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
119,622 (46.6%)
96,044 (41.3%)
Houses occupied by renters
137,346 (53.4%)
136,318 (58.7%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$760.83
$854.05
Median monthly housing costs
$967
$965
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$201,932
$172,751
Estimated median house or condo value
$142,800
$160,100
Median numbers of rooms
5.5
4.9
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.8
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.6
5.7
Median house price - detached houses
$205,904
$177,554
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$161,248
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$145,165
$178,933
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$201,411
$222,376
Median house price - mobile homes
$93,577
$67,466
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$170,154
$171,473
Median house price - All housing units
$204,886
$176,965
Median house age
52
68
Renting percentage
48.1%
56.4%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,032.8
2,683.8
House value disparities
44.1%
33%
Household income disparities
48.2%
46.1%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$72,611
$72,490
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$53,615
$53,843
Housing units without a mortgage
1,461 (2%)
1,800 (2.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,970 (5.4%)
3,918 (6.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
71,386 (98%)
61,602 (97.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
322 (0.4%)
270 (0.4%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,907 (8.1%)
5,023 (7.9%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
16
13
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
5.7%
4.5%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
4.6%
1.1%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Memphis
Milwaukee
One, detached
61.0%
38.9%
One, attached
5.8%
4.5%
Two
2.1%
23.5%
3 or 4
7.4%
6.3%
5 to 9
9.1%
6.3%
10 to 19
5.6%
4.1%
20 to 49
1.8%
6.6%
50 or more
6.2%
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
16,111
10,069
State government workers
7,650
7,334
Unpaid family workers
668
199
Industries and Occupations
Key industries in Memphis include automobile parts, healthcare, and services. Milwaukee leans more toward manufacturing, particularly beer and machinery, plus lake-related commerce due to its Great Lakes location.
Both cities offer good healthcare facilities. Memphis is home to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, while Milwaukee hosts the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Memphis
Milwaukee
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Both cities have well-developed infrastructure with international airports, interstates, and public transportation systems. Memphis, having America's second-largest cargo airport, thrives in freight and transportation infrastructure.
Infrastructure
Type
Memphis
Milwaukee
Hospitals
35
29
TV stations
14
17
Arenas or stadiums
2
3
Bank branches located here
160
146
Bank institutions located here
33
29
Main business address for public companies
17
32
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
0
24
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Memphis
Milwaukee
1999
2,195
1,506
2000
2,406
1,666
2001
1,775
1,410
2002
1,444
1,157
2003
2,116
1,641
2004
3,266
2,251
2005
4,730
3,325
2006
5,833
4,218
2007
3,559
2,555
2008
1,174
719
2009
345
456
Culture and Food
Memphis is renowned for its rich history in music and food, being the birthplace of the blues and famous for its barbecue. Milwaukee is known for its beer culture, historic architecture, diverse cuisine, and numerous festivals.
Sports Teams
Memphis is home to the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies and the minor league baseball team, the Memphis Redbirds. Milwaukee hosts the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and MLB's Milwaukee Brewers.
Memphis, TN
Milwaukee, WI
Memphis, TN and 
Milwaukee, WI : 558.7 miles
