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City Report · WI

South Milwaukee

Pop. 20,442·40th most expensive in Wisconsin·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,250/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-0.8%
vs US Median
-$715
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
South Milwaukee · $1,250
More affordable than 90% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,250/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$50,000/yr
Local median income
$73,427/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using South Milwaukee's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$900
1 BR
$1,010
2 BR
$1,200
3 BR
$1,490
4 BR+
$1,620
Research median
$1,200/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$15,000/yr
At $1,250/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -0.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

South Milwaukee, WI is majority owner-occupied, 29.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
20,442
Median income
$73,427
Median age
40.2
Renters
33.2%
Age distribution
22.2%
22%
23.3%
13.7%
18.9%
Under 1822.2%
18–3422%
35–5423.3%
55–6413.7%
65+18.9%
Gender
49.6%
50.4%
Male49.6%
Female50.4%
Race & ethnicity
81.2%
12.2%
White81.2%
Black2.5%
Hispanic12.2%
Asian1.3%
Other2.9%
Education (25+)
32.8%
31.3%
29.9%
No HS diploma6%
HS diploma32.8%
Some college31.3%
Bachelor's+29.9%
Housing tenure
66.8%
33.2%
Owner66.8%
Renter33.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How South Milwaukee, WI has changed in 5 years

Income
$61,046 → $73,427
up 20.3%
Population
20,785 → 20,442
down 1.7%
Renter share
37.4% → 33.2%
-4.2 pts
Bachelor's+
25.3% → 29.9%
+4.6 pts
Median age
41.1 → 40.2
-0.9 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $73,427 today, compared with $61,046 five years earlier. Census counts show South Milwaukee, WI losing about 343 residents over the five-year window, down 1.7% on net. The renter share has eased from 37.4% to 33.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 25.3% to 29.9% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about South Milwaukee

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View South Milwaukee rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in South Milwaukee on your salary?

At $1,250/mo, how South Milwaukee rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

South Milwaukee rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in South Milwaukee. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in South Milwaukee

About renting in South Milwaukee, WI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in South Milwaukee is $1,250/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $900/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,200/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,010/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,490/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($73,427/yr), South Milwaukee ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is South Milwaukee an affordable city for renters?

South Milwaukee is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,250/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($73,427/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. South Milwaukee falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in South Milwaukee?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $50,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,250/mo in South Milwaukee. The local median household income is $73,427/yr, meaning the typical South Milwaukee household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in South Milwaukee?

Rent in South Milwaukee has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does South Milwaukee rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

South Milwaukee is middle-of-the-pack for Wisconsin for rent, ranking #40 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,250/mo.

What percentage of South Milwaukee residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.2% of South Milwaukee households are renters, while 66.8% are owner-occupied. South Milwaukee leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does South Milwaukee rent compare to the national average?

South Milwaukee's median rent of $1,250/mo is $715 (36%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Wisconsin, it ranks #40 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,250/mo, rent takes ~20% of South Milwaukee's median household income ($73,427/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

South Milwaukee 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.5–7.65%
Run the South Milwaukee affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near South Milwaukee, WI

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