Why Milwaukee, WI?
The birthplace of the typewriter, the Harley-Davidson, and Miller Time, Milwaukee is a city with a big heart and an industrious spirit. As the largest city in Wisconsin, this beer capital of the nation is often known as the Brew City, but there’s so much more to love about MKE than this reputation allows.
Teams like the Bucks and the Brewers, amazing restaurants like Goodkind and the Diplomat and, of course, the incredible spoils of Lake Michigan are just a few reasons why the Brew City has earned some serious accolades of late. Vogue calls Milwaukee the Midwest’s “coolest, most underrated city,” and National Geographic named it one of the best places to travel.
But if you decide to make this city of just under 600,000 your home, be aware that Milwaukee is also known as the Cream City, not as a nod to its dairy prowess, but because of its popular, pale-yellow brickwork, that you’ll find across both city and burbs. Milwaukee’s architecture is one of the coolest things about this “coolest” Midwestern city. Art deco gems like the Wisconsin Gas Building, the opulent Pabst Mansion and the Milwaukee Art Museum, with its buildings by Calatrava, Saarinen and Kahler, are just a few of the standouts.
The appeal of Milwaukee’s cityscape isn’t its only draw to newcomers. If you’re looking to move here for your career, Milwaukee’s economy is now more diversified than ever. The Brew City has branched off from its early manufacturing roots and become an education and healthcare capital and a hub for marketing, retail, finance and medical technology.
The Brew City is also a great place to raise a family. Dozens of kid-friendly attractions and annual events make the city an easy sell for the smaller set, from the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum to sledding down the slopes at Pulaski Park.
Whether you’re considering a move to Milwaukee or already call MKE home, this insider’s guide to the Cream City will unveil 10 essential things you need to know about Milwaukee before you move here. Learn about Milwaukee’s climate, job market, neighborhoods and fun things to do below.
Embracing the Beauty of Four Seasons in Milwaukee
Like other Great Lakes cities, Milwaukee’s climate is impacted substantially by its proximity to Lake Michigan. In the springtime, this means fog, and in the summer, cool breezes and ample rains — a boon to northern gardeners.
But in the fall and winter — which sets in by November — the lake can bring powerful, even destructive winds in what’s known as “Gale Season.” One thing it won’t bring too often, though, is lake effect snow. On average, you might be surprised to learn that Milwaukee only receives 45 inches of snow per year, which isn’t bad for a city that has temperatures in the 20s for 16 weeks of the year. The city is usually excellent at clearing highways and major thoroughfares of snow, and sidewalks — by law — have to be cleared within 24 hours. So, if you’re moving to Milwaukee from warmer climes, you shouldn’t worry too much about getting around.
Summer and early fall are two of the best seasons in this northern Midwestern city. Temperatures average only in the low 80s, even in July and August, and lows dip into the 50s as late as June and as early as September. You can take full advantage of this blissful weather on the shores of the lake or pick apples or pumpkins. You’ll even be able to see the Northern Lights, every now and then.
Affordable Living in Milwaukee
One of the biggest advantages Milwaukee offers to new residents is its affordability. Milwaukee residents enjoy a low cost of living and proximity to one of the greatest natural wonders in the nation — Lake Michigan. In general, the cost of common household expenses like housing, transportation and food are lower in the Midwest than in other parts of the nation. But Milwaukee’s real estate market is more affordable than many popular cities across the Midwest, including Chicago, Grand Rapids, Saint Louis and Minneapolis. And, as you’ll see in the neighborhoods section below, the housing stock has tons of architectural appeal.
The median home value in Milwaukee is just $157,800 — nearly $125,000 below the national average — and the median gross rent is only $982/month. But do be aware that the average household income in the city is considerably lower than the national average too. Milwaukee households brought home only $49,733, on average, between 2018 and 2022, compared to the U.S. average of $75,149. These low wages contribute to the city’s high poverty rate, which has reached 24%.
Finding Job Opportunities in Milwaukee
The unemployment rate in Milwaukee has remained near historic lows in the city over the past 12 months, but there has been a slight uptick, drawing the rate from 2.8% to 3.2% between April 2023 and April 2024. This reflects the slight contraction in the job market, particularly in the information sector, one of the city’s smallest.
Education and health services — Milwaukee’s largest single industry — experienced modest growth, expanding by 2.2% to employ 177,000 of the 855,000 in the area’s non-farm, civilian workforce. Trade, transportation and utilities, the second-largest sector, held steady over the past 12 months with 146,100 employees. The professional and business services and financial activities sectors, which employ more than 150,000 people combined, also suffered minor losses, as did manufacturing, which employs 113,000 residents.
If you are moving to Milwaukee in pursuit of a new career, you may have to brace yourself for a cut in salary. The average hourly wages in Milwaukee are more than a dollar below the national average, but this varies greatly by industry. Retailers make roughly the same amount in Milwaukee as they do elsewhere in the U.S., but physical therapists make only $46.22/hour compared to the average U.S. rate of $48.29/hour.
Some of the top employers in this vibrant city include healthcare giants like Advocate Aurora Health, Froedtert and Ascension and colleges like the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University. But there are business leaders from numerous industries in Milwaukee, from marketing powerhouses like Quad, manufacturing giants like GE Healthcare, retailers like Kohl’s and financial bigwigs like Northwestern Mutual. And don’t forget homegrown favorites like Harley-Davidson and Milwaukee Tools.
Getting Around Milwaukee With Ease
Getting to and from Milwaukee is a snap, thanks to its convenient location off the 94 and I-43. 11 air carriers serve Milwaukee Airport (MKE), and the city offers non-stop flights to 36 destinations, including several in tropical locations, like Puerto Vallarta and Montego Bay. Amtrak also offers easy service between Milwaukee and Chicago, and a coach ticket costs around $25.00 and takes only an hour and a half.
When it comes to getting around within the city, the Milwaukee County Transit System’s (MCTS) bus rapid transit (BRT) does the heavy lifting for commuters. The MCTS now has more than 30 stations, and a second line of BRT services is in the planning phase. You can use the Umo app and MCTS Trip Planner to map out your commute or get to your favorite spots around town. Standard fares paid for with the app or WisGo card are $2.00/ride, $4.00/day, $19.50/week, and $72.50/month. The average commute time in the city is only 22 minutes, lower than many major cities in the region and several minutes faster than the national average.
Within city limits, you can also use the HOP — a two-line streetcar — to get around. How much does it cost to ride? Not a thing. The HOP is a free city service, so you can explore to your heart’s content.
If you’re wanting to get around on two wheels in addition to using public transportation, Milwaukee’s e-bikeshare program Bublr has dozens of docking stations across the city and into the suburbs. Monthly passes are just $30 and annual passes are only $129
Choosing Your MKE Neighborhood
Downtown Milwaukee
Downtown Milwaukee is a lively, approachable and welcoming area, filled with museums, performing arts spaces, arenas and breweries. And one of the most beloved districts within the downtown core is the Historic Third Ward. This bustling area between Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee River has four theatres on the corner of Broadway and Menomonee alone. Just a couple blocks east you’ll find the Milwaukee Ballet and — along the riverbanks – you’ll find the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, which is surrounded by artist-run galleries. Spendy, open-concept apartments and jaw-dropping lofts are the norm in this sought-after area, so don’t be surprised to see price tags upwards of $1.5 million. You’ll also find plenty of apartments for rent.
Shorewood
North of the City, you’ll find the alluring district of Shorewood. This lakeside community offers easy access to the water but be prepared to spend more for a view. You’ll find well-maintained homes in a range of styles, from Tudors to lavish, castle-like estates, many built around the turn of the last century. Some will have modern updates, but in others, Formica countertops remain from the last reno in the 1960s. On Sundays, hit the Shorewood Farmer’s Market for fresh produce, a wheel of Mount Raclette from Alpinage Cheese or a treat from Donut Monster (get the blueberry cheesecake-filled variety!). During the warmer months, the business community hosts Shops Open Shorewood, and you’ll find great deals and fun activities at local boutiques and restaurants along Oakland Avenue and Capitol Drive, from MKE Plants & Vintage Goods to the Blackbear Children’s Boutique.
Wauwatosa
Just 15 minutes west of downtown Milwaukee, Wauwatosa is a popular suburb that’s perfect for families. This walkable and shoppable area is close to parks, the library, the Mayfair Mall, the Milwaukee County Zoo, Children’s Hospital and tons of great restaurants. Because Tosa, as it’s locally known, covers a broad swath of western Milwaukee, there are dozens of smaller neighborhoods within this friendly district, from Washington Highlands to Sheraton Lawns. Every year, you can look forward to local events, like the All-City Cribbage Tournament and the All-City Read. You’ll find a wide range of housing in Wauwatosa — tidy, modern condos for under $100K, 1920s bungalows, clapboard houses with soaring ceilings, and renovated ranches with wide-open floor plans on spacious lots, from $200K-$700K.
Note: If you’re thinking of moving to Milwaukee, it’s important to thoroughly research neighborhoods or areas in the city you might be interested in living. Before you decide where you are going to live, make sure you understand the area’s cost of living, commute time, tax rates, safety statistics and schooling information.
Unique Experiences in Milwaukee
Between music festivals like Summerfest and everyday fun like the Milwaukee Public Market, the Brew City offers creative amenities and experiences that really draw a crowd.
The Brew City Legacy
If it weren’t for Milwaukee, America would never have gotten down a frosty mug of Pabst, Schlitz or Miller, and we never would have known the hilarious antics of Laverne or Shirley. While Milwaukee’s brewing heyday may be in the rearview, the tradition remains alive as a batch fermenting mash, reborn in craft breweries like MobCraft Beer, Good City, Vennture and Lakefront Brewery. One of our favorite new spots is Central Waters, which hails from the remote Wisconsin outpost of Amherst — population 1,346ish — and makes a curiously refreshing rice lager and a decadent Belgian dubbel called Averted Vision.
The City of Festivals
In the City of Festivals, there’s always something worth celebrating, from holidays like Dia de los Muertos and Juneteenth to music festivals like the Fresh Coast Jazz Festival. You’ll find all manner of cultural festivals, including Armenian Fest, German Fest, Puerto Rican Fest and Polish Fest. There are major culinary events like the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival, Taco Fest and the Bloody Mary Festival. And there are seasonal favorites like Mittenfest, the Autumn Harvest Festival, and — of course — Summerfest. One of the city’s favorite annual events, this music extravaganza is hosted in the Historic Third Ward’s Henry Meier Festival Park. This year, the three-weekend event will be headlined by artists like Mötley Crüe, SZA and MXMTOON this year, and all the best food vendors and rides will be back for another spin, including the Skyglider and the Solar Wheel in the Sky.
Lakefront Living
When people think of Lake Michigan, they often picture Chicago’s shoreline or the quiet Hamlets that line the lake’s eastern banks, but this only makes Milwaukee’s beaches some of the best-kept secrets in the country.
When the weather is nice, spend a lazy day at Bradford Beach near Murray Hill. Leave the picnic basket and coolers at home and treat yourself to a “walking taco” and a frozen custard from MooSa’s. Or just get out to watch the sun set over the city from Veteran’s Park, where you’ll also likely see dozens of unusual kites flying, thanks to the nearby Gift of Wings store. Take a jog or a bike ride along the Oak Leaf Trail, which travels 135 miles around the city, from the lakefront to the river, and many parks in between.
Even in the depths of winter, when the vast expanse of blue spreading out to the horizon changes to icy white, the water is still a marvel. So, don’t think the lake, the Milwaukee River or the many state parks are only to be enjoyed in warm weather. Take the kids sledding and skiing at the Rock Snowpark. Ice skate down the festive, light-filled trail at Enchant Christmas. Have dinner in a cozy winter shanty at Frank & Larry’s Buckatabon Tavern & Supper Club. Whatever you do, don’t hole up until spring.
Rooting for the Home Teams
For all its cultural amenities, Milwaukee is still a tried-and-true sports town. So, if all your family needs to have fun is a big game and a winning team, the Brew City is usually happy to accommodate.
To see the Packers, you’ll have to drive two hours south to Lambeau Field in Green Bay, but you won’t be alone in your pilgrimage. The Milwaukee Bucks play much closer to home at the Fiserv Forum in the Deer District, an entertainment hub downtown. Part of the NBA’s Eastern Conference, the Bucks have taken home two championship titles, including one in 2021.
The American Family Field, home of the Milwaukee Brewers, is located just west of the downtown core. Once a part of the American league, the team has come close to a national title, but has never actually clinched a World Series win. Don’t mention the St. Louis Cardinals to anyone here unless you’re looking for an earful.
Other pro teams in the area include the Milwaukee Admirals, a farm team for the NHL’s Nashville Predators, and the Milwaukee Wave, an indoor soccer league.
Exploring Other Attractions
Milwaukee’s cultural offerings are almost as vast as the waters of Lake Michigan, whether you’re interested in history, visual arts, culinary arts or the theater.
There are historic structures, like the North Point Lighthouse, the Iron Block Building and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Burnham Block Houses. There are fun, locally based spots like the Museum of Beer & Brewing and the Harley-Davidson Museum, where you can attend a Bike Night concert every Thursday during the summer.
Cultural institutions like the IPAMA Institute for the Preservation of African American Music & Art and the Milwaukee Jewish Museum explore the complex histories of Milwaukee’s diverse residents. And institutions like the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Kohler Arts Center and the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Art give you an in-depth look at visual creations from artists close to home and around the world.
Kids will love Discovery World, where they can pilot a plane, race a car or touch a bamboo shark — if they dare. Everyone will really dig a trip to the Milwaukee Public Market in the Historic Third Ward. Seven days a week, you can get a cup of Anodyne Coffee, a vegan sandwich from On the Bus and a box of Freese’s fine chocolates, which they’ve been making in the Cream City for almost 100 years.
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