Living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Milwaukee · Census data 2020–2024
Milwaukee has 566,973 residents with a median age of 32.4. The median household income is $54,234 (30% lower than the Wisconsin median), the median home value is $184,000, the median rent is $1,059/month.
Milwaukee at a glance
- Population
- 566,973
- Median age
- 32.4State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $54,234State: $77,485
- Median home value
- $184,000State: $266,500
- Median rent
- $1,059/moState: $1,087
- Homeowners
- 41.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 27.4%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Milwaukee a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 31% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 30% lower than the Wisconsin median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 6.2%; a poverty rate of 22.8%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Milwaukee
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Milwaukee the median home value is $184,000, 45% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,059 per month, which is 30.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,533 a month in housing costs.
Milwaukee median household income
The median household income in Milwaukee is $54,234 and the income per person is $30,994. 22.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Wisconsin: 10.6%).
Housing in Milwaukee: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 259,101
- Owner-occupied
- 41.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 58.2%
- Vacant
- 10.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1953
- Average household size
- 2.37
Milwaukee demographics
- Population
- 566,973
- Median age
- 32.4
- Under 18
- 25.4%
- 65 and older
- 12%
- Households
- 232,520
- Foreign-born
- 11.1%
- Veterans
- 3.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Milwaukee ›
Education in Milwaukee
27.4% of adults 25 and older in Milwaukee have a bachelor's degree or higher (Wisconsin: 33.4%), and 9.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Milwaukee
- Unemployment rate
- 6.2%State: 3.2%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 22 min
- Work from home
- 12.9%
- Drive alone
- 66.3%
- Public transit
- 5%
- Walk to work
- 4%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.2%
Milwaukee vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 566,973 | $54,234 | $184,000 | $1,059 |
| Wauwatosa | 48,529 | $101,138 | $339,000 | $1,438 |
| West Milwaukee | 4,038 | $49,128 | $207,400 | $920 |
| Shorewood | 13,627 | $86,726 | $443,700 | $1,347 |
| Glendale | 13,656 | $78,092 | $282,800 | $1,432 |
| Whitefish Bay | 14,665 | $157,109 | $533,800 | $1,335 |
| West Allis | 59,612 | $67,611 | $203,800 | $1,007 |
| Butler | 1,859 | $60,000 | $244,700 | $890 |
| Elm Grove | 6,459 | $158,016 | $510,400 | $1,900 |
More for people moving to Milwaukee
Milwaukee ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Milwaukee: FAQ
What is the median household income in Milwaukee, WI?
The median household income in Milwaukee is $54,234, 30% lower than the Wisconsin median of $77,485 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Milwaukee?
The median home value in Milwaukee is $184,000, compared with $266,500 in Wisconsin.
How much is rent in Milwaukee?
The median gross rent in Milwaukee is $1,059 per month, about 30.5% of household income.
Is Milwaukee, WI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 31% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 30% lower than the Wisconsin median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 6.2%; a poverty rate of 22.8%.
What is the median age in Milwaukee?
The median age in Milwaukee is 32.4 years (Wisconsin: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Milwaukee?
The average commute to work in Milwaukee is 22 minutes; 12.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Milwaukee?
The unemployment rate in Milwaukee is 6.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Milwaukee?
27.4% of adults in Milwaukee have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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