Real Estate Investing in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin (53172)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 53172 (South Milwaukee, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
No major risk flags on the data we track.
What’s happening in South Milwaukee, WI (53172)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 53172 South Milwaukee
This part of Milwaukee County is not an easy win. The 53172 ZIP sits at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
From an investor standpoint, the numbers look inviting — $315K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 53172 is substantial and deserves full respect.
Statewide comparisons place 53172 among WI's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.
Employment concentration in 53172 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.
New investors are better served looking at South Milwaukee's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 53172. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in South Milwaukee:
Property Strategy for 53172
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $238,006 | $1,270 | 3.8% | +9.3% | $119,003 |
| 3BR | $298,162 | $1,560 | 3.8% | +7.8% | $99,387 |
| 4BR | $317,266 | $1,690 | 3.8% | +7.4% | $79,316 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 53172 Compare?
| Metric | 53172 | South Milwaukee | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $314,995 | $314,995 | N/A | $320,446 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.5% | 5.5% | N/A | 7.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,154 | $1,154 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.9% | 2.9% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 53172 (South Milwaukee, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $314,995 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,154 |
| Price-to-Rent | 22.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.4% |
| Cap Rate | 2.9% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +8.7% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.0% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -16.6% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 53172
Population: 20,547
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon
We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.
Expected: Q1 2025
🎓 Schools in 53172
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Cudahy Middle
Kosciuszko Elementary
Mitchell Elementary
Lincoln Elementary
Cedar Hills Elementary
About Repit School Scores
Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.
We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:
- Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
- School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
- Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
- School Environment — Size, type, and structure
Scores are updated annually using federal education data.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 5,091 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How landlord-friendly is South Milwaukee, WI?
The landlord environment in South Milwaukee, WI is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.
Should investors consider South Milwaukee, WI?
The 3.0/5 investability rating in South Milwaukee, WI reflects its $315K prices and $1,154/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within WI.
How strong is the working-renter base in South Milwaukee, WI?
Tenant demand in South Milwaukee, WI is solid. The local workforce $1,154/mo rents across most rental classes.
How much do tenants pay in South Milwaukee, WI?
Rent in South Milwaukee, WI is around $1,154/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $315K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.
Does a duplex house hack pencil in South Milwaukee, WI?
The a challenging house-hack environment in South Milwaukee, WI reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.
You know 53172 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 53172 ranks in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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