Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,217
Population
566,428
Renter Mix
61% Rent
Known as the Brew City, Milwaukee is home to some of the nation’s best breweries, a trend that’s spreading nationwide. Along with an abundance of craft beer, you’ll find picturesque views of Lake Michigan, a thriving local economy, and a world-class collection of museums and galleries. Throughout the summer months, the community celebrates its diverse heritage through a series of festivals connected to the city’s differing cultures.
These fun-filled festivals include the African World Fest, German Fest, Irish Fest, Indian Summer Festival, and Feta Italiana. The annual Summerfest is the largest music festival in the world, and has been since 1999, featuring more than 800 acts over the course of 11 days. With a low cost of living and a wide range of affordable apartments, condos, and houses for rent, living in Milwaukee is within reach for any anyone.
Residents take in the amazing sights at the Annual Family Kite Festival.
The Historic Third Ward sits between Downtown Milwaukee and the Milwaukee River.
Enjoy an evening out and see a show at Milwaukee's historic The Pabst Theater.
Sit and ponder for a spell on the South Shore swing in Bay View.
Fair Park is a neighborhood in the heart of Milwaukee, WI.
Lakeshore State Park is one of Milwaukee's many cycling thoroughfares.
Median Household Income
$47,042
Average: $65,645
Education
122,700
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
267,649
Workers Employed
Median Age
34 Years
Largest Age Group
25-34 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
28%
Over 65
13%
Housing Distribution
Milwaukee has more renters than homeowners.
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Milwaukee, WI is $1,001 for a studio, $1,220 for one bedroom, $1,539 for two bedrooms, and $2,047 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Milwaukee has increased by 2.5% in the past year.
The cost of living in Milwaukee, WI is 0.6% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Milwaukee is 7.6% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,001 - $2,047. You can expect to pay 0.5% more for groceries, 7.2% less for utilities, and 0.8% more for transportation.
Compare Cities
Best Neighborhoods in Milwaukee, WI for Renters
Don’t know where to start your Milwaukee rental search? Here are five Milwaukee neighborhoods perfect for renters.
How Much Square Footage Do I Need?
Lifestyle can impact the type of layout you need. Consider these factors before choosing your next apartment.
How to Find an Apartment
From budget to lease, these 10 steps take the guesswork out of finding an apartment.
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Milwaukee, WI is for everyday living.
Moderately Walkable
Walkability
Good Public Transit
Transit
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
Public
Grades PK-5
485 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
485 Students
Public
Grades K-8
340 Students
Public
Grades K-8
340 Students
Maryland Avenue Montessori School
Public
Grades PK-8
501 Students
Public
Grades K-8
340 Students
Public
Grades K-8
340 Students
Maryland Avenue Montessori School
Public
Grades PK-8
501 Students
Public
Grades K-12
1,174 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
756 Students
Reagan College Preparatory High
Public
Grades 9-12
1,343 Students
Public
Grades K-12
1,174 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
145 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
145 Students
Rufus King International High School
Public
Grades 9-12
1,283 Students
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.
