According to Zillow’s November 2024 neighborhood-level home value data, Milwaukee’s 25 most affordable neighborhoods reveal striking patterns in urban real estate development and value appreciation. Most notably, all 25 neighborhoods have experienced significant growth since 2014, with several areas showing extraordinary appreciation rates exceeding 300% over this decade, including Havenwoods (+394.6%), Old North Milwaukee (+354%), and Wahl Park (+346.6%). Interestingly, these neighborhoods are all concentrated in Milwaukee’s north side, suggesting a pattern of focused development and investment in this historically undervalued area. The data also shows that the price range for these 25 neighborhoods is relatively tight, spanning from $57,224 (North Meadows) to $128,855 (Havenwoods), indicating a distinct market segment within the city.
Overview Chart
The recent growth trends are particularly revealing, with all but one neighborhood (Metcalfe Park, -2.0%) showing positive appreciation from 2023 to 2024. North Division stands out with the highest year-over-year growth at 23.4%, while several established neighborhoods like Granville Station (+0.3%) and Sherman Park (+2.7%) show signs of market stabilization. Perhaps most striking is that many neighborhoods that lacked recorded values in 2014 have emerged as significant growth areas, particularly North Meadows, which despite being the most affordable neighborhood has seen a remarkable 137% increase since 2019. These trends suggest a dynamic real estate market in Milwaukee’s historically affordable areas, with continued investment and development reshaping neighborhood valuations.
1. Havenwoods – $128,855
Located on Milwaukee’s north side, Havenwoods is centered around the Havenwoods State Forest, Wisconsin’s only urban state forest. This neighborhood has seen remarkable growth, with property values increasing by 394.6% since 2014, rising from $26,053 to the current value of $128,855. The area features a mix of residential homes and natural spaces, with the state forest providing unique recreational opportunities within city limits.
2. Mill Valley – $127,286
Mill Valley, situated in Milwaukee’s northwest side, has shown steady appreciation with an 86.6% increase since 2019, when values were at $68,220. The neighborhood has seen a 16% increase just since 2023, indicating strong recent growth. This residential area features primarily single-family homes and has been experiencing ongoing development and community investment.
3. Lincoln Park – $126,389
Named after the adjacent Lincoln Park along the Milwaukee River, this north side neighborhood has experienced substantial growth with values rising 243.8% since 2014. Starting from $36,758 in 2014, the area now commands prices of $126,389, benefiting from its proximity to the park’s recreational amenities and the river. Recent years have shown more modest growth, with just a 4.9% increase since 2023.
4. Historic Mitchell Street – $125,664
Centered around its namesake commercial district on Milwaukee’s south side, Historic Mitchell Street has seen tremendous growth from its 2014 value of $31,076, marking a 304.4% increase. This culturally rich neighborhood, known for its Polish heritage and diverse shopping district, continues to attract investment, with a 19.5% increase in the last year alone.
5. Wahl Park – $125,152
The Wahl Park neighborhood, surrounding its namesake park on Milwaukee’s north side, has demonstrated strong appreciation, rising 346.6% from its 2014 value of $28,024. The area has maintained steady growth with a 13.6% increase since 2023, benefiting from its green spaces and community amenities.
6. Midtown – $122,609
Located in the heart of Milwaukee’s north side, Midtown has seen values increase by 258.4% since 2014, rising from $34,210. The neighborhood has experienced more moderate recent growth of 4.2% since 2023, suggesting a stabilizing market. This centrally located area benefits from its accessibility to major transportation routes and commercial corridors.
7. Grantosa – $122,565
Situated in Milwaukee’s northwest side, Grantosa has shown more modest long-term appreciation compared to other neighborhoods, with a 108.4% increase since 2014. Starting from a higher base of $58,813 in 2014, the area has maintained steady growth with a 5.4% increase since 2023, reflecting its stable residential character.
8. Whispering Hills – $118,755
This northwest Milwaukee neighborhood has seen an 87% increase in values since 2019, rising from $63,521. Recent growth has been notable at 15% since 2023, suggesting increasing market interest in this primarily residential area known for its quieter streets and family-friendly atmosphere.
9. Fairfield – $118,421
Fairfield, located on Milwaukee’s northwest side, has experienced substantial growth with a 254.9% increase since 2014, when values were at $33,368. The neighborhood has maintained steady appreciation with a 10.8% increase since 2023, reflecting ongoing community development efforts.
10. Harambee – $117,882
The Harambee neighborhood, just north of downtown Milwaukee, has seen remarkable growth with a 334.5% increase since 2014, rising from $27,131. This historic area, whose name means “pulling together” in Swahili, continues to see strong appreciation with a 13.7% increase since 2023, reflecting ongoing community investment and development.
11. Granville Station – $116,053
Located in far northwest Milwaukee, Granville Station has shown steady growth with a 153.5% increase since 2014, rising from $45,780. Recent appreciation has been minimal at 0.3% since 2023, suggesting a stabilizing market in this area that combines residential and commercial development.
12. Garden Homes – $113,751
This historic north side neighborhood, which includes Milwaukee’s first planned residential development, has seen a 91.7% increase since 2019. The area continues to show strong growth with an 11% increase since 2023, building on its historic character and community investment.
13. Old North Milwaukee – $109,828
Once an independent municipality, Old North Milwaukee has experienced dramatic growth with a 354% increase since 2014, when values were at $24,191. The neighborhood has maintained steady appreciation with an 11.6% increase since 2023, reflecting its ongoing transformation.
14. Servite Woods – $106,813
Located in Milwaukee’s northwest side, Servite Woods has shown strong growth with a 110.6% increase since 2019, rising from $50,716. The area has maintained momentum with an 18.2% increase since 2023, suggesting growing market interest in this residential neighborhood.
15. Sherman Park – $102,567
This historic north side neighborhood, centered around Sherman Park, has seen values increase by 200.7% since 2014, rising from $34,113. Recent growth has been modest at 2.7% since 2023, reflecting the area’s established character and stable housing market.
16. Washington Park – $100,828
Adjacent to its namesake park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Washington Park has experienced significant growth with a 269.1% increase since 2014, when values were at $27,314. The neighborhood has seen modest recent appreciation of 5.6% since 2023, benefiting from its historic park and community amenities.
17. Williamsburg – $98,150
Located in Milwaukee’s northwest side, Williamsburg has shown strong appreciation with a 127.6% increase since 2019, rising from $43,126. The neighborhood has maintained momentum with a 20.2% increase since 2023, indicating growing market interest in this residential area.
18. Arlington Heights – $90,106
This north side neighborhood has experienced substantial growth with a 264.8% increase since 2014, rising from $24,700. The area continues to show strong appreciation with a 17.4% increase since 2023, reflecting ongoing community development efforts.
19. Walnut Hill – $85,272
Located west of downtown Milwaukee, Walnut Hill has seen significant appreciation with a 267.6% increase since 2014, when values were at $23,200. Recent growth has been more modest at 4.9% since 2023, suggesting a maturing market in this historic neighborhood.
20. Franklin Heights – $81,336
This north side neighborhood has experienced dramatic growth with a 324.4% increase since 2014, rising from $19,164. The area continues to show strong appreciation with a 17.9% increase since 2023, reflecting ongoing neighborhood revitalization efforts.
21. Metcalfe Park – $73,305
Located on Milwaukee’s north side, Metcalfe Park has seen an 83.2% increase since 2019, rising from $40,010. The neighborhood has experienced a slight decline of 2% since 2023, the only area in the top 25 to show a decrease, suggesting some market adjustment in this developing area.
22. Park West – $70,960
This north side neighborhood has shown strong appreciation with a 96.6% increase since 2019, when values were at $36,103. The area continues to see steady growth with a 12.2% increase since 2023, reflecting ongoing community investment.
23. Borchert Field – $70,073
Named after the former Milwaukee Brewers’ baseball field, this north side neighborhood has experienced significant growth with a 111% increase since 2019, rising from $33,206. The area maintains steady appreciation with a 17.4% increase since 2023, showing continued market interest.
24. North Division – $68,403
Located on Milwaukee’s north side, North Division has shown substantial growth with a 98.9% increase since 2019, rising from $34,395. The neighborhood continues to see strong appreciation with a 23.4% increase since 2023, one of the highest recent growth rates among the top 25.
25. North Meadows – $57,224
As Milwaukee’s most affordable neighborhood, North Meadows has still shown remarkable growth with a 137% increase since 2019, when values were at $24,141. The area has maintained steady appreciation with an 8.5% increase since 2023, suggesting ongoing development and investment in this north side community.
