South Milwaukee 79 Exceptional
South Milwaukee Livability #85 ranked city in Wisconsin#2,198 ranked city in the USARanks better than 92% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in South Milwaukee

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Ratings Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

What's it like Living in South Milwaukee?

South Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a moderately-sized city with a population of 21,661 people. With a population density of 4,486 people per square mile, South Milwaukee is well above the nation's average density level. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (90% White). Given that fact, South Milwaukee could be considered less diverse than other cities. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in South Milwaukee, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in South Milwaukee could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Wisconsin if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around South Milwaukee, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, housing and more.

South Milwaukee has a livability score of 78 out of 100 and is ranked #81 in Wisconsin and #2,153 in the USA. Compared to the US average, South Milwaukee ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that South Milwaukee also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that South Milwaukee has higher than average grades for the following: crime (A), cost of living (A) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, South Milwaukee does not have favorable grades for the following: amenities (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 159 crimes per 100,000 residents, South Milwaukee has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. South Milwaukee excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

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 South Milwaukee is actually affordable. The median home price for South Milwaukee homes is $301,766, which is 0.2% higher than the Wisconsin average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in South Milwaukee, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 2.7% lower than the Wisconsin average.

Best Places to Live in and Around South Milwaukee

See all the best places to live around South Milwaukee

How Do You Rate The Livability In South Milwaukee?

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Compare South Milwaukee, WI Livability

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      South Milwaukee transportation information

      Statistic South Milwaukee Wisconsin National
      Average one way commute26min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.8%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.8%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.7%1.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.3%3.3%2.8%
      Working from home5.7%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The South Milwaukee, WI data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.