How We Rank
MILWAUKEE: HOW WE RANK
National Recognition. Exceptional Value. Proven Quality of Life.
Milwaukee Continues to Earn National Recognition
National publications and independent organizations consistently recognize Milwaukee as one of America’s most livable, affordable, and underrated metropolitan areas. From quality of life and housing affordability to restaurants, recreation, arts, and entrepreneurship, Milwaukee continues to earn accolades that reinforce what residents already know: this is a region that delivers exceptional value.
The rankings on the following pages come from respected national publications, industry organizations, and independent research groups. While rankings naturally evolve over time, they collectively paint a consistent picture—Milwaukee offers an outstanding quality of life, a vibrant economy, abundant cultural amenities, and a cost of living that remains well below many comparable metropolitan areas.
Whether you’re relocating for work, raising a family, launching a business, or planning your retirement, these national recognitions help explain why more people are discovering Milwaukee every year.
Milwaukee by the Numbers
Category |
Snapshot |
|
| Regional Population | 1.9 Million | |
| Annual Festivals | 100+ | |
| Drive to Chicago | 90 Minutes | |
| Average Commute | 24 Minutes | |
| Lake Michigan Shoreline | 30+ Miles | |
| Professional Sports | 5 Teams | |
| Colleges & Universities | 15+ | |
| Fortune 500 Headquarters | Several Major Employers |
THE MAGIC OF MILWAUKEE
Don’t Just Take Our Word For It… There’s a Buzz About Milwaukee
“In recent years, when I tell others that I’m from Milwaukee, I’m surprised by how many respond by saying they had recently visited. Virtually all of them tell me they loved the city, and I can tell by the shock in their voices that every single one of them was surprised they had such a great time.”
— Cassandra Brooklyn, Daily Beast
“From comfort food to fine dining, Milwaukee is ‘awesome and approachable,’ a sleeping giant that doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
— Food & Wine
“Milwaukee’s Bronzeville district is again distinguishing itself as a center of African American culture.”
— The New York Times
“The city that turned beer brewing into a major industry by 1900 now excels because of its many personalities. Kayak downtown rivers, cruise Lake Michigan, or simply enjoy Bradford Beach.”
— Forbes
National Recognition
🌟 Lifestyle & Livability
- One of America’s Friendliest Cities — Travel + Leisure
- 5th Most Livable Large City — AARP
- Top 15 Emerging Downtowns — Forbes
🍴 Food, Arts & Entertainment
- #1 Greatest Foodie City — Huffington Post
- Top 12 Cities for Art — 88Nine
- Top 10 Urban Beaches — USA Today
🚀 Growth & Opportunity
- #1 Top Emerging Travel Destination — Airbnb
- 5th Fastest Growing City — Our Town America
- #29 Best Places to Start a Business — Inc.
MILWAUKEE’S COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Big-City Amenities. Midwest Affordability. Exceptional Value.
Metro Area |
Ave. Home Price |
Avg. Commute |
Population |
Known For |
|||||
| Milwaukee | $317,928 | 24 min. | 1.9 million | Exceptional Value, Lake Michigan, Festivals, Professional Sports | |||||
| Chicago | $561,000 | 35 min. | 9.4 million | Global business center, architecture, museums | |||||
| Minneapolis-St Paul | $467,000 | 27 min. | 3.7 million | ` | Fortune 500 headquarters, healthcare, lakes | ||||
| Madison | $435,000 | 23 min. | 700,000 | University of Wisconsin, state government | |||||
| Indianapolis | $335,000 | 26 min. | 2.1 million | Sports, affordability, motorsports | |||||
| Columbus | $389,000 | 24 min. | 2.2 million | Technology, Ohio State University | |||||
| Nashville | $437,000 | 28 min. | 2.1 million | Music, healthcare | |||||
| Charlotte | $435,000 | 27 min. | 2.8 million | Banking, finance | |||||
| Dallas-Ft Worth | $410,000 | 29 min. | 8.3 million | Corporate headquarters | |||||
| Denver | $610,000 | 27 min. | 3.1 million | Mountains, outdoor recreation | |||||
| Phoenix | $470,000 | 27 min. | 5.1 million | Sunshine, golf, retirement | |||||
| Atlanta | $395,000 | 31 min. | 6.4 million | Airport, logistics, entertainment | |||||
More Than a Place to Live—A Better Value
When people relocate, they compare more than home prices. They evaluate career opportunities, commute times, quality schools, healthcare, recreation, cultural amenities, and the overall cost of living. Milwaukee consistently delivers an exceptional balance of these factors, offering many of the advantages of much larger metropolitan areas while remaining one of the nation’s best values.
A Perfect Size
Southeastern Wisconsin is the perfect mix of urban, suburban and rural living. The region’s population – roughly 1.8 million people – is the perfect size to support professional sports teams, rich cultural offerings, world-class museums and a vibrant music scene. But it’s not so big that you won’t fit in. The people are friendly, work hard and like to have fun. They are immensely proud of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Region.
And a Perfect Location
Milwaukee is ideally located in the heart of the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes region of the United States. It is a 90-minute drive from downtown Chicago, a five-hour drive from Minneapolis-St. Paul and Indianapolis. Wisconsin’s fabled Northwoods and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are just three hours away.
