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City · 20,442 residents · Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

South Milwaukee , Wisconsin

In South Milwaukee, a typical home is worth $235,700 and typical rent is $1,014 a month. Compared with all of Milwaukee County, typical household income is 14% higher, typical rent is 8% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 17 points higher.

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  • Typical home value

    $235,700

    2% above the county

    12% below Wisconsin

    • South Milwaukee
    • Milwaukee
    • Wisconsin

  • Typical rent

    $1,014a month

    8% below the county

    7% below Wisconsin

    • South Milwaukee
    • Milwaukee
    • Wisconsin

  • Typical household income

    $73,427a year

    14% above the county

    5% below Wisconsin

    • South Milwaukee
    • Milwaukee
    • Wisconsin

  • Households that own their home

    67%

    17 points above the county

    1 points below Wisconsin

    • South Milwaukee
    • Milwaukee
    • Wisconsin

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$304,489
3.9% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,148 a month
9.9% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

South Milwaukee is in Milwaukee County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Milwaukee County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets South Milwaukee apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. 67% of households in South Milwaukee own their home, against 50% in Milwaukee County.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in South Milwaukee

What homes there are in South Milwaukee, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

Detached houses, standing on their own, make up 59% of homes here, against 45% in Milwaukee County.

Year built

The typical year built in South Milwaukee is 1958, about the same as in Milwaukee County (1957).

In South Milwaukee, 58% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, more than in Milwaukee County (48%).

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,660 a month

Milwaukee County: $1,688 a month

Without a mortgage

$711 a month

Milwaukee County: $738 a month

Owners with a mortgage

64%

Milwaukee County: 65%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in South Milwaukee is $1,660 a month, near the figure in Milwaukee County ($1,688).

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in South Milwaukee rose 46% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Milwaukee County (46%).

Rents in South Milwaukee rose more slowly than in Milwaukee County: 21% since 2015–2019, against 25%.

While home values in South Milwaukee changed +46% and rent +21%, the typical household income rose 39%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureSouth MilwaukeeMilwaukee CountyWisconsinUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate6.1%4.5%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.7%0.5%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate2.5%1.7%3.4%
People per household 2.402.312.332.53
Drive alone 76%69%74%69%
Carpool 7%9%7%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate3%1%3%
Walk or bike 2%4%3%3%
Work from home 12%14%13%15%
Other means 2%1%1%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes

A household in South Milwaukee has 2.40 people on average, about the same as in Milwaukee County (2.31).

In South Milwaukee, 76% of workers drive alone to work; in Milwaukee County, 69%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in South Milwaukee?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home in South Milwaukee, worth $235,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 35% of the typical household income in South Milwaukee, which is $73,427 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $91,693 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Milwaukee County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in South Milwaukee. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $8,250 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$2,140

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$231,430
Total interest
$332,974
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $3,980 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,713 a month

  • Tight

    $1,713 to $2,203 a month

    Your payment · 35%

  • Hard

    more than $2,203 a month

Compared with the typical household income in South Milwaukee ($73,427 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,140
Principal & interest$1,568
Property tax$369
Home insurance$98
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$104

You need at least $8,250 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

South Milwaukee and Milwaukee County

South Milwaukee is in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

South Milwaukee's own numbers

Typical home value
$235,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,014
Typical yearly household income
$73,427
Households that own their home
67%
Effective property tax rate
1.88%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Milwaukee County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,263
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+56%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.3%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Milwaukee County.

Everything about Milwaukee County

Buying

Buying a home in South Milwaukee

A typical home in South Milwaukee is worth $235,700: 2% above the county and 12% below Wisconsin. With the typical household income in South Milwaukee ($73,427 a year), a typical home costs 3.2 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • South Milwaukee 3.2 years
  • Milwaukee 3.6 years
  • Wisconsin 3.4 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Milwaukee County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Milwaukee County rose 96% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Milwaukee County.

Period County Wisconsin U.S.
Last year (2025) +5.8% +5.4% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +56% +57% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +96% +96% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

South Milwaukee next to Milwaukee County, Wisconsin and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • South Milwaukee $235,700
  • Milwaukee $230,700
  • Wisconsin $266,500
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • South Milwaukee $1,014
  • Milwaukee $1,101
  • Wisconsin $1,087
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • South Milwaukee $73,427
  • Milwaukee $64,435
  • Wisconsin $77,485
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
South Milwaukee next to Milwaukee County and Wisconsin
Measure South Milwaukee Milwaukee County Wisconsin U.S.
Typical home value $235,700 $230,700 $266,500 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,014 $1,101 $1,087 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $73,427 $64,435 $77,485 $80,734
Households that own their home 67% 50% 68% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $4,420 $4,444 $3,792 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.88% 1.93% 1.42% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 43% 48% 44% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Milwaukee County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in South Milwaukee

For a typical $235,700 home in South Milwaukee, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, South Milwaukee's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $2,140a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $8,250
    Cash to close
    $15,321
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $104

  • Conventional, 5% down $2,096a month

    Down payment
    $11,785
    Cash to close
    $18,856
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $112

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,745a month

    Down payment
    $47,140
    Cash to close
    $54,211
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,963a month

    Down payment
    $35,355
    Cash to close
    $42,426
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for South Milwaukee and for Milwaukee County.

Property tax

Effective rate in South Milwaukee

1.88%of the home’s value each year

$4,420 a year for the typical owner in South Milwaukee.

  • South Milwaukee 1.88%
  • Milwaukee 1.93%
  • Wisconsin 1.42%

What Wisconsin publishes Lottery and Gaming Credit for your primary residence (Wisconsin Department of Revenue)

Exemptions and deadlines in Wisconsin

Flood risk in Milwaukee County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Milwaukee County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
0.3%
519
Of those, with NFIP insurance
76%
County Wisconsin U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 0.3% 1.4% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 76% 19% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in South Milwaukee

Typical rent in South Milwaukee is $1,014 a month: 8% below the county. In South Milwaukee, 43% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Milwaukee County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,263 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $24.29 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Milwaukee County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $985 $18.94 $39,400
1 bedroom $1,060 $20.38 $42,400
2 bedrooms $1,263 $24.29 $50,520
3 bedrooms $1,553 $29.87 $62,120
4 bedrooms $1,664 $32.00 $66,560

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in South Milwaukee

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). South Milwaukee is in ZIP code 53172.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,210: $53 less than the fair market rent for Milwaukee County ($1,263).

  • 53172 $1,210$1,490

A ZIP code counts for South Milwaukee when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in South Milwaukee

HUD lists 3 buildings with rents for lower incomes in South Milwaukee. These are the largest.

  • Grant Park Square 2825 S Chicago Ave, South Milwaukee 53172 153 low-income homes · For families (414) 276-1515
  • Parkcrest 2902 6th Ave, South Milwaukee 53172 60 low-income homes · Run by South Milwaukee Housing Auth. · Average payment: $644 a month · Average wait: 7 months (414) 762-4114
  • Sunrise Village Senior Apts 2500 10th Ave, South Milwaukee 53172 48 homes, 44 low-income · 1 bd: 28 · 2 bd: 20 · In service since 2000

See all 330 buildings in Milwaukee County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in South Milwaukee

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There are 5 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Milwaukee County; 4 say they serve in Spanish.

A young woman and a young man point to a line in their notes beside a laptop in a library.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in South Milwaukee

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for South Milwaukee or Milwaukee County. The ones below are statewide in Wisconsin: they work in South Milwaukee the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Wisconsin

  • WHEDA Easy Close Advantage DPA

    Statewide in Wisconsin

    Wisconsin state agency second mortgage for the down payment: up to 6% of the price, over 10 years with a monthly payment and the same rate as the WHEDA first mortgage. Offered by Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).

    Repayable

    See the program Official page

  • WHEDA Capital Access DPA

    Statewide in Wisconsin

    Limited funds remain, per the source

    $7,500 loan from the Wisconsin state agency for the down payment and closing costs, over 30 years, at 0% and with no monthly payments, alongside a WHEDA mortgage; limited funds, first come, first served. Offered by Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near South Milwaukee

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of South Milwaukee, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • United Community Center

    1028 S. 9th Street, Milwaukee · 8 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 3 more
    (414) 384-3100

  • Acts Housing

    270 E Kilbourn Ave Ste 5, Milwaukee · 9 miles away · Spanish

    Also serves in Hmong.

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 6 more
    (414) 933-2215

  • Housing Resources, Inc-Racine

    500 Wisconsin Ave. Suite 205, Racine · 13 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Workshops for new owners
    • and 2 more
    (262) 636-8271

Every agency in Milwaukee County All counseling agencies in Wisconsin

Help in Spanish near South Milwaukee

3 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of South Milwaukee

HUD’s record names them for South Milwaukee or Milwaukee County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

3 other authorities have an office in Milwaukee County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Milwaukee County

These cities are also in Milwaukee County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Milwaukee County Housing in Wisconsin
See 3 more cities in Milwaukee County, with prices and rents

Every city has its own page with prices, rents and help.

Nearby cities

The cities closest to South Milwaukee, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Milwaukee County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in South Milwaukee.

All guides
Two parents walk hand in hand with their little daughter.

Questions

Housing questions about South Milwaukee

Short answers with the numbers for South Milwaukee and all of Milwaukee County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in South Milwaukee?

The typical home value in South Milwaukee is $235,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Milwaukee County it is $230,700.

How much does it cost to rent in South Milwaukee?

Typical rent in South Milwaukee is $1,014 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Milwaukee County is $1,263.

What is the FHA loan limit in South Milwaukee?

South Milwaukee uses the FHA limit for all of Milwaukee County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in South Milwaukee?

The typical homeowner in South Milwaukee pays $4,420 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.88% of the home’s value; in Milwaukee County, the rate is 1.93%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in South Milwaukee?

There are 5 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Milwaukee County. 4 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).