Real Estate Investing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (53202)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 53202 (Milwaukee, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Elevated vacancy: 10.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
What’s happening in Milwaukee, WI (53202)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 53202 Milwaukee
ZIP 53202 inside Milwaukee County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $370K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
The 53202 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
The gap between 53202 and stronger Milwaukee ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
Employment concentration in 53202 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.
appears to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Milwaukee:
Property Strategy for 53202
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $261,797 | $1,680 | 4.6% | +4.7% | $261,797 |
| 2BR | $412,364 | $2,010 | 3.5% | +4.3% | $206,182 |
| 3BR | $556,516 | $2,480 | 3.2% | +4.5% | $185,505 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 53202 Compare?
| Metric | 53202 | Milwaukee | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $369,577 | $220,617 | N/A | $320,446 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.2% | 6.6% | N/A | 7.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,743 | $1,381 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.7% | 5.0% | - | - |
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 53202 (Milwaukee, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving Milwaukee County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Bodner Properties offers great apartments for rent in the Greater Milwaukee area. summary from their website
Home Path Property Management offers home rentals, build-to-rent options, and vacation rentals in the Milwaukee Area. summary from their website
MPC Property Management offers a wide range of property management services for residential, commercial, and association properties in Wisconsin. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $369,577 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,743 |
| Price-to-Rent | 17.7:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.7% |
| Cap Rate | 3.7% |
| 5-Year IRR | 6.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -0.3% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.2% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +4.3% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +5.5% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.2% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.4% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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 53202
Population: 26,269
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 53202
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Atwater Elementary
Forest Home Elementary
Shorewood High
Brown Street Academy
Jackson 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 6,529 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What monthly rent should investors expect in Milwaukee, WI?
Rental rates in Milwaukee, WI average $1,743/mo. Tenant demand and $370K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.
Do landlords face vacancy issues in Milwaukee, WI?
Rental vacancy in Milwaukee, WI is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.
Which real estate strategy fits Milwaukee, WI?
Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Milwaukee, WI. The numbers - $370K homes against $1,743/mo rents - support that play.
Are eviction rules reasonable in Milwaukee, WI?
Milwaukee, WI falls under WI landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.
What is the tenant pool like in Milwaukee, WI?
Expect a solid tenant pool in Milwaukee, WI. The rental market absorbs $1,743/mo rents without meaningful friction.
You know 53202 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 53202 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.
How 53202 ranks in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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