Milwaukee Neighborhoods Ranked by Safety, School Scores, and Cost
By Sharon Ben-Moshe · September 11, 2026
Milwaukee County neighborhoods show sharp contrasts in housing costs and classroom achievement. This guide compares local ZIP codes using public education records, safety statistics, and home sale numbers.
Milwaukee sits along Lake Michigan in southeastern Wisconsin. The city features a diverse grid of residential communities, from historic lakeside neighborhoods to outer residential pockets along the Waukesha County line.
Milwaukee County ZIP codes ranked by data
NeighborScore assesses Milwaukee communities against Wisconsin state benchmarks. Testing data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, and housing values come from county deed transfers.
- Mount Mary and Krumsiek (53222): Scores 39 overall with a 54 school score, 25 crime score, and a median home price of $268,099. Median rent is $1,458, offering accessible single-family housing.
- Bay View and South Shore (53207): Scores 38 overall with a 52 school score and 25 crime score. Median property price is $309,590 with median rent of $1,683, driven by lakefront recreation and dining.
- Southgate and Wilson Park (53221): Scores 38 overall with a 52 school score and 25 crime score. Median home price is $293,039 and median rent is $1,266.
- Glendale Border and North Side (53209): Scores 35 overall with a 46 school score and 25 crime score. Median purchase price is $166,648, providing an affordability score of 77.
- Menomonee River Hills (53225): Scores 34 overall with a 44 school score and 25 crime score. Median home price is $240,142 with median rent of $1,214.
Housing affordability and neighborhood selection
Milwaukee remains more affordable than many Upper Midwest metros. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that homeownership rates remain steady in southern ZIPs like 53207 and 53221, where median home prices stay near $300,000.
Police incident filings recorded by the FBI Crime Data Explorer show that crime rates vary widely by census tract, making block-level due diligence helpful for buyers.
Researching Milwaukee ZIP codes
Movers exploring Milwaukee can review our neighborhood research checklist or compare local ZIP codes directly on the Milwaukee comparison tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Milwaukee ZIP code has the highest overall score?
ZIP 53222 in northwestern Milwaukee scores 39 overall, led by a 54 school score and a median home price of $268,099.
What is the median home price in Bay View 53207?
Bay View ZIP 53207 has a median home price of $309,590 and a median monthly rent of $1,683.