Milwaukee, WI, known as 'Cream City,' offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern amenities. Located in southeastern Wisconsin, Milwaukee is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Madison and Chicago enhance its status as a central point in the Great Lakes region. Milwaukee's blend of historic breweries, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Milwaukee is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Milwaukee Art Museum, the historic Third Ward, and the Harley-Davidson Museum. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Lakefront Park to the bustling Milwaukee Public Market, known for its local vendors and food. Milwaukee's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from classic cheese curds to international cuisine.
Annual events such as Summerfest and the Wisconsin State Fair highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Milwaukee's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Milwaukee is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Milwaukee provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Milwaukee’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Brewers (MLB) and the Bucks (NBA), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Milwaukee include manufacturing, healthcare, and finance, with significant employers such as Harley-Davidson and Northwestern Mutual driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses, the Milwaukee Streetcar, and Amtrak.
Amenities
Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.
Commute
High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.
Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Crime
High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.
Schools
Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.
Located in the state of Wisconsin, Milwaukee is a large city with a population of 605,531 inhabitants. With a population density of 6,297 people per square mile, Milwaukee is well above the nation's average density level. Milwaukee is mostly populated by White (42%) and Black or African American (39%) ethnic groups. The median age of all Milwaukee residents is 31, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. Milwaukee is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 35% married, this city falls well below the national average.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. The best areas in Milwaukee and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Wisconsin and national averages.
Using data and statistics Milwaukee has received a livability score of 79/100. This score is ranked in the 94th percentile when compared to all other cities. Compared to the US average, Milwaukee ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we consider each of the categories on their own, we see that Milwaukee ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Milwaukee does not have favorable grades for the following: crime (F) and education (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Milwaukee, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Milwaukee undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. Some of the interesting things to do and attractions include: Milwaukee Art Museum, Miller Park, and Lakefront Brewery.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Milwaukee can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Milwaukee is actually affordable. The median home price for Milwaukee homes is $232,150, which is 22.9% lower than the Wisconsin average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Milwaukee, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 0% lower than the Wisconsin average.
| Statistic | Milwaukee | Wisconsin | National |
| Average one way commute | 22min | 22min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 71.9% | 80.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.0% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 6.7% | 1.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.7% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 4.3% | 3.3% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.4% | 4.2% | 4.6% |
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