Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Brew City on the lake

Midwest Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro

U.S. News (2025)

#67 Best Places to Live

Fodor's (2024)

#20 Best U.S. Cities to Visit

WhereAtHome Score

73.5

C

out of 100

Overview

Milwaukee offers an authentic urban experience with Lake Michigan access and strong German heritage. The city has invested in its waterfront, Third Ward, and downtown entertainment district. While housing is very affordable, the city faces challenges with segregation and crime in some neighborhoods.

Key Highlights

  • Lake Michigan waterfront and beaches
  • Historic Third Ward shopping district
  • Rich brewing heritage and craft beer scene
  • Very affordable housing
  • Major festivals including Summerfest
  • Harley-Davidson Museum

Key Metrics

Population 2024

569,330

Source: Census ACS

Median Home Value 2026

$230,242

Source: Zillow ZHVI

Median Household Income 2023

$45,318

Source: Census ACS

Average Commute 2023

23.1 min

Source: Census ACS

Walk Score 2025

62

Source: Walk Score

Crime Level 2024

High

Source: FBI CDE

School Rating

2025

C (4.5/10)

Source: Curated

Cost of Living Index 2025

89 (100 = U.S. avg)

Source: Curated

2024 Presidential Election

Milwaukee County (county-level results)

68%
30%
Democrat 316,292
Republican 138,022
Leans D+38.5

Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more

Climate

Summer High

81°F

Winter Low

16°F

Annual Rainfall

34"

Sunny Days

188

Amenities & Infrastructure

190+ Parks

Green spaces and recreation

6 Major Hospitals

Healthcare access

5 Universities

Higher education institutions

Public Transit Available

Bus, rail, or metro service

Major Employers

Aurora Health Northwestern Mutual Harley-Davidson Johnson Controls

Score Breakdown

6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.

Housing Affordability 89.2/100

Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)

Income vs Housing 54.2/100

How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)

Commute Time 63.5/100

Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)

Crime 20/100

Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)

Walkability 62/100

Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)

Purchasing Power 42.9/100

Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)

WhereAtHome Score 73.5

Location

Milwaukee, WI (43.0389, -87.9065)
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Last Updated: 2026-07-01

Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.

Nearby Cities

Wauwatosa

WI

C

West Allis

WI

C

Greenfield

WI

C

South Milwaukee

WI

C

Brookfield

WI

C

Oak Creek

WI

C-

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