Make Your Mark in Milwaukee
There's never been a more exciting time to live in the Good Land. From horizon-defining developments all over town to championship-caliber sports teams, award-winning dining at every turn to the awe-inspiring performances in the Milwaukee Theater District, there is an excitement, energy and electricity of thriving progress all throughout the city that you have to experience for yourself. An affordable city for everyone from families to young professionals and an accessibility that cannot be beat, plant your roots and make your mark in Milwaukee. Together, we'll thrive.
Let's Thrive
Demographics of Milwaukee
Population
(Source: US Census Bureau Estimates, July 2022)
- City of Milwaukee: 563,305
- Total Four-County Area: 1.5 million
- Total Seven-County Area: 2 million
City of Milwaukee Demographics
White |
39.9% |
Black or African American |
39.4% |
American Indian and Alaska Native |
0.6% |
Asian |
4.5% |
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander |
0.0% |
Two or More Races |
7.6% |
Hispanic or Latino |
19.9% |
LGBTQ+ Friendly Community
- For seven consecutive years, Milwaukee has scored 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, an accomplishment only 129 cities out of 506 have achieved.
- The MEI examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of LGBTQ+ people who live and work there.
- Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality.
Cost of Living
Milwaukee’s cost of living is slightly below the U.S. city average and ranks significantly lower than many major metropolitan areas, including Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Minneapolis/St. Paul.
According to the ACCRA cost-of-living index, $100,000 in living costs in Milwaukee would equal:
•$155,000 in Boston
•$127,000 in Chicago
•$117,000 in Denver
•$109,000 in Minneapolis/St. Paul
•$138,000 in Portland
•$200,000 in San Francisco
Housing in Milwaukee
•$290,000 median home sales price
•$914 medium gross rent
Accessibility
- 22 minutes: Average Commute Time
- Milwaukee County Region has the 2nd shortest urban commute time of major urban areas.
- No. 28 most walkable city in the country.
- The Milwaukee County Transit System also connects the seven-county area, providing 15.5 million rides each year.
- The Hop, the city's growing streetcar system, connects downtown to the Cathedral Square neighborhood, Historic Third Ward and more, transporting people to-and-from major points of interest and entertainment districts.
- In addition to public transportation offerings, Bublr Bikes is Milwaukee's bikeshare partner, providing an easy way to cruise around town on rental bikes.
- E-Scooters also help residents get around town, making it easy to get from A to B and anywhere you want to be.
Community Resources
New in town? Connect with involved and dedicated locals at these organizations.
Plan Your Commute!
Milwaukee is located just 90 minutes north of Chicago and within a day’s drive of one-third of the U.S. population, with the highly-ranked Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport just a 10-15 minute…
Collegiate MKE
- Milwaukee is home to 11 colleges and universities with around 100,000 students.​
- These institutions of higher education include highly regarded schools in engineering nursing, biology and education fields.​
- Additionally, Milwaukee is in close proximity to UW-Madison, Northwestern University, DePaul University and University of Chicago.
With 12 colleges and universities within the city of Milwaukee and three more nearby, the Greater Milwaukee area has one of the highest college students-per-capita ratios in the United States.
Good Things are Brewing in Milwaukee
Discover uniquely Milwaukee stories told by the people who call this city home.
Relocation
Thinking about planting your roots, and not sure where to start? Check out the relocation resources from our friends at Choose Milwaukee and Discover Milwaukee, packed with everything you need to plan your move to the Good Land.
Learn More About Living in MKE
We're thrilled that you are thinking about a move to Milwaukee! Please use the resources on this page to…
Discover the City Where Unique Unites
No matter who you are or what you celebrate, Milwaukee has something for you. From Bublr Bikes to Harley-Davidson motorcycles, catching a show at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to rocking out at Summerfest, or walking through booths at the nation's longest-running Juneteenth Day Festival to sipping on authentic beer at German Days, the extraordinary culture of Brew City is one that can be experienced at any time throughout the year. Milwaukee is the place where unique unites. Find your Milwaukee.