City profile
Milwaukee, WI
Lakefront city with festivals, the Bronzeville cultural district and affordable homes.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
24°F
Summer avg
72°F
Sunny days / yr
185
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$230,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,636
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
95
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.51%
- State income tax (top)
- 7.65%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 5.72%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively High · county score 98/100
Top hazards: Cold wave, Heat wave, Tornado
Nearest major airport
6 mi to General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 68% Democratic / 30% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
566,973
Growth since 2019
-4.6%
Median age
32.4
Residents 65+
12.0%
Median household income
$54,234
Income growth since 2019
+29.6%
Black household income
$39,454
Home ownership
41.8%
Poverty rate
22.8%
Poverty rate, 65+
18.2%
Race & ethnicity: Black 37.9% · White 31.7% · Hispanic 20.9% · Asian 5.0% · Other 4.5%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
1,145 · 247% above the national average
Property crime
2,401 · 55% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Milwaukee Police Department. State average: violent 245, property 1,033.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: winter storms
Highlights
- Lakefront festivals
- Bronzeville arts district
- Affordable homes
Trade-offs
- Cold winters
- Higher crime in some areas
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.