Aug 19, 2025
It’s known as the home of Harley-Davidson, a storied American brewing legacy and a bronze statue of Arthur “the Fonz” Fonzarelli.
And after reading the recent glowing housing report from real estate brokerage Redfin, it could be the next place you call home.
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Yes, if bikes, brews and a bronze Fonz sound right up your alley, you may want to consider a move to Milwaukee.
That’s because, according to Redfin, Milwaukee is the hottest housing market in the country right now. The brokerage reports a 12% increase in sales and an 8% uptick in prices year over year. That’s enough to make “Cream City” the cream of the crop on a list that shows an overall surge in fellow Rust Belt markets like Chicago, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Detroit and Pittsburgh.
If you’re looking to relocate for work, pleasure or just a lifestyle overhaul, Milwaukee might be the right choice for you. But first, there are several factors to consider.
More to Milwaukee than meets the eye
Milwaukee was famously the setting for two classic American sitcoms — Laverne & Shirley and Happy Days (hence the bronze Fonz). As well, most people know of its reputation as a beer-making mecca, its sports teams (the Brewers, Bucks and Admirals) and its picturesque Lake Michigan shoreline. The city also boasts multiple food and culture festivals throughout the year and a vibrant arts scene. Not to mention, the world’s only Harley-Davidson Museum.
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It’s a great place to visit, but prospective homebuyers need to dig deeper.
If you’re considering moving for work, there’s good news: the city’s unemployment rate for June was 3.6% — lower than the national average and tied for 13th lowest overall among large metropolitan areas in the U.S. And when it comes to industry, the job market boasts numerous employers across various industries, with the biggest being education and health services; trade, transportation and utilities; professional and business services; and manufacturing.
Stats show that the cost of living is about the same as the national average, ranking it the 86th lowest out of 226 in America on data platform Niche. However, the cost of housing is 6% higher than the national average, which is not surprising, given that local Redfin real estate agent W.J. Eulberg noted how the market is “red hot.” And, “Unlike much of the country, Milwaukee is not a buyer’s market … (homes) still get snapped up quickly because we continue to face an inventory shortage.”
The lack of a buyer’s market could hinder your chances at finding something affordable — or anything at all if inventory is so low. And at around 2.38%, property taxes are more than double the national average.
Healthcare, food and transportation are all marginally higher than the national average, which isn’t terrible but does defeat the purpose if the idea is for a midwest move to save on living expenses.
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The Milwaukee crime rate is high, however, as the city ranked 9th on the list of cities with the largest violent crime rate per 100,000 residents in 2023. Though crime overall — except for homicides — is now down year over year from 2024, Niche still gives Milwaukee a D- grade on the matter in their 2025 ranking.
Should you make the move?
It’s difficult to truly judge a city by its stats. Plus, there are trade-offs. For example, beyond monetary expenses, do the lively cultural festivals and lakeside attractions outweigh the frigid temperatures and snowfalls in winter? It all comes down to personal preference.
Niche gave Milwaukee an overall B- grade, scoring it highest on diversity, nightlife, outdoor activities and commute and lowest on housing, public schools and crime and safety.
Conversely, Niche ranked Naperville, Ill., about two hours down the road from Milwaukee, as the best U.S. city to live in this year with an overall A+ grade. Other midwest locales near the top of the list include nearby Madison, WI., as well as Ann Arbor, MI., which earned overall A and A+ rankings respectively from Niche.
If you’re looking for somewhere with a more comparable size to Milwaukee, fellow rustbelter Pittsburgh ranked 11th on the list of best cities to buy a house and an overall A rating, while Chicago and Cincinnati each scored an A-.
Of course, everyone has their own reasons for moving to a particular place and what’s right for one buyer may be wrong for another. It’s always best to do your own research and also speak with locals and/or real estate agents in the area to get a true feel for what it’s like to live there. That way, in the end, you’ll know your choice was the right one.
Or, as the Fonz would say, “Correct-amundo!”
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Mike Crisolago is a Staff Reporter at Moneywise with more than 15 years of experience in the journalism industry as a writer, editor, content strategist and podcast host. His work has appeared in various Canadian print and digital publications including Zoomer magazine, Quill & Quire and Canadian Family, among others. He’s also served as a mentor to students in Centennial College’s journalism program.
