Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee WI scores 75/100 on safety (above average). Crime is about 29% below the national average. Pick the neighborhood carefully. Some ZIPs are fine, others are not.

Detail: overall crime index 71 (100 = avg); violent crime index 78; property crime index 63. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

Campus scores in the report: Milwaukee Elementary (elementary) at 7/10; Milwaukee Middle School (middle) at 7/10; Milwaukee High School (high) at 8/10. On this 10-point scale, 7 is solidly middle; 9 is a standout.

District picture: about B+ (above average) · Top 35% statewide. Student-teacher staffing: 16:1. If schools drive your move, compare the specific campuses that serve your target address against statewide peers.

Typical rent in Milwaukee is about $1,338/month (moderate). At $1,338/month for a typical unit, you need about $48,168+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $157,800.

Median household income is $49,733, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($49,733) clears the $48,168 comfort line for that rent.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 63°F (highs near 68°F, lows near 58°F).

You can be outside most of the year without extreme gear. Heating and cooling costs are usually moderate compared with hotter or colder metros. If you visit, go in winter or midsummer (not only in spring) to see the extremes.

Hazard indexes (100 ≈ typical U.S.): weather hazard index 152. Ask insurers for a quote on the ZIP you want. Deductibles can move your monthly cost as much as a $50–$100 rent difference.

Who tends to thrive in Milwaukee: (1) Households that want quieter streets (safety sits at 75/100) (2) Renters who want $1,338/month housing without coastal prices (comfort income is about $48,168) (3) People relocating for a job who can pick a safer ZIP (citywide safety is 75/100) (4) Households earning $48,168+ who can clear the 3× rent rule at $1,338/month

Who should look elsewhere: (1) Households expecting top marks on rent, safety, and schools at once (Milwaukee does not clear every bar) (2) People who will not research ZIP-level crime and school maps before leasing

Income sniff test: clear about $48,168 household income for $1,338/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

Milwaukee WI is a yes only if you can live with the main downside below. Otherwise skip it.

The strongest upside is housing cost: typical rent near $1,338/month keeps the comfort income line around $48,168.

The biggest practical risk is still housing: confirm you can carry $1,338/month plus utilities before you sign.