Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee minimum-wage workers must spend 84% of salary to afford typical rent, study says
Want to rent your Wisconsin home on sites like Airbnb? 5 things to do
Wisconsinites need several licenses and permits from local and state governments to list their homes for rent on sites like Airbnb or VRBO.
Among the 50 largest U.S. cities, Milwaukee ranks in the bottom half for affordability for minimum-wage workers, according to a new study by Clever Real Estate.
More specifically, the study looked how feasible it was for minimum-wage workers in each city to rent a one-bedroom residence if they were to follow the common advice that people should not spend more than 30% of their income on rent.
While some areas were more affordable than others, Clever Real Estate found that it was not possible in any of the 50 cities, including Milwaukee, for minimum-wage workers to rent a typical one-bedroom apartment in their city for less than 30% of their salary.
Here’s what to know about the rent-to-income ratio in Milwaukee and how it compares to other major cities.
How affordable is Milwaukee rent for minimum-wage workers?
Milwaukee tied with New York City as the 30th-most affordable city for minimum-wage workers.
According to Clever Real Estate, a person working minimum wage for 40 hours a week in Milwaukee would need to spend a whopping 84% of their annual earnings to afford a typical one-bedroom rental in the city.
The typical one-bedroom in Milwaukee amounts to $1,056 monthly, the study said. An affordable rent for minimum wage workers — meaning it would cost 30% of their annual salary — would be $377 monthly.
Milwaukee and Wisconsin have seen some of the country’s fastest-rising rents in the past year. Between March 2023 and March 2024, Milwaukee logged a median rent price of $1,835 per month, according to Rent.com. That’s well above the Midwest median of $1,456 but slightly under the national median of $1,987.
How does Wisconsin minimum wage compare to other cities?
Wisconsin is one of 13 states where minimum wage still sits at the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour. Thirty states have passed a wage higher than this into law, including Wisconsin’s neighboring states Illinois, Minnesota and Michigan.
Seven states have no minimum wage law or a rate lower than the federal wage, meaning the federal rate applies in these states, barring a few exceptions.
To comfortably afford the typical one-bedroom Milwaukee rent, Clever Real Estate found that a person needs to make at least $20.31 an hour — almost three times the current minimum wage.
Most affordable cities for minimum-wage workers
Though no cities were affordable enough — or had high enough wages — for minimum-wage workers to follow the “30% rule,” here are the ones that topped the list:
- Buffalo, N.Y. (39% of minimum-wage income needed to rent typical one-bedroom)
- St. Louis (46% of minimum-wage income needed to rent typical one-bedroom)
- Hartford, Conn. (48% of minimum-wage income needed to rent typical one-bedroom)
- Minneapolis (51% of minimum-wage income needed to rent typical one-bedroom)
- Providence, R.I. (54% of minimum-wage income needed to rent typical one-bedroom)
- Cincinnati (55% of minimum-wage income needed to rent typical one-bedroom)
- Cleveland (55% of minimum-wage income needed to rent typical one-bedroom)
- Kansas City, Mo. (55% of minimum-wage income needed to rent typical one-bedroom)
- Denver (56% of minimum-wage income needed to rent typical one-bedroom)
- Detroit (61% of minimum-wage income needed to rent typical one-bedroom)
Claire Reid contributed to this report.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Weather: Mild and breezy Saturday, slight chance of showers
MILWAUKEE – Forecast from FOX6 Meteorologist Lisa Michaels
Partly sunny skies on Saturday with a slight chance for a few sprinkles or a shower.
Temperatures warmer on Saturday in the mid to upper 60s. Isolated 70s near the border. Breezy with winds gusting near 30mph.
Cooler temperatures in the upper 50s on Sunday (Mother’s Day) with increasing clouds. Patchy frost Saturday night into Sunday and Sunday night into Monday.
Next chance of rain and storms arrives on Tuesday.
Today: Partly sunny. A few showers possible. Breezy.
High: 67°
Wind: NW 10-25
Tonight: Partly cloudy. Patchy frost.
Low: 42°
Wind: NW 5-10
Sunday: Increasing clouds.
High: 57°
Wind: NW 5-15
Monday: Mostly sunny.
AM Low: 39° High: 59°
Wind: E 5-10
Tuesday: Warm and windy. Chance storms.
AM Low: 42° High: 68°
Wind: SW 10-25
Wednesday:Partly sunny.
AM Low: 46° High: 59°
Wind: NW 5-15
Thursday: Mostly sunny.
AM Low: 42° High: 64°
Wind: S 5-10
6-day planner
FOX6 Weather Extras
Local perspective:
Meanwhile, FOX6Now.com offers a variety of extremely useful weather tools to help you navigate the stormy season. They include the following:
FOX6 Storm Center app
FOX LOCAL Mobile app
FOX Weather app
FOX Weather
Big picture view:
Maps and radar
We have a host of maps and radars on the FOX6 Weather page that are updating regularly — to provide you the most accurate assessment of the weather. From a county-by-county view to the Midwest regional radar and a national view — it’s all there.
School and business closings
When the weather gets a little dicey, schools and businesses may shut down. Monitor the latest list of closings, cancellations, and delays reported in southeast Wisconsin.
FOX6 Weather Experts in social media
Milwaukee, WI
Bobby Portis and his mom share the story behind his foundation while honoring Milwaukee teachers
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Bobby Portis Foundation hosted a luncheon Friday at Roosevelt Middle School to honor teachers — many of whom are also mothers — with Mother’s Day and Teacher Appreciation Week overlapping on the calendar.
Portis and his mother, Tina Edwards, spent the day celebrating educators and reflecting on the mission behind the foundation.
“We just want to make sure that we let the teachers know you are appreciated because sometimes it goes beyond being a parent at home, but sometimes teachers are parents at school,” Edwards explained.
Ariel Campos, TMJ4 Sports
For Portis, a forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, the foundation has always been rooted in one person.
“The Bobby Portis Foundation has always just been solely based upon really my mom, and that’s the inspiration behind it,” Portis said.
WATCH: Bobby Portis and his mom share the story behind his foundation
Bobby Portis and his mom share the story behind his foundation while honoring Milwaukee teachers
Growing up, Portis watched his mother raise four boys on her own.
“My mom worked tirelessly to take care of all four of us,” Portis said.
Edwards made sacrifices for her sons from the very beginning — including turning down a basketball scholarship after becoming pregnant with Bobby.
“I still was offered a scholarship after I had him, but I wanted to choose him over ball,” Edwards said.
Tina Edwards
That sacrifice brought her full circle through her son’s career.
“With Bobby becoming an NBA player, he’s living my dream, and I’m living the dream through him,” Edwards shared.
For Portis, the event was an opportunity to honor everything his mother has given him.
“I can’t just put into words what my mom has done for me, not only for my basketball career – that’s just like a small portion of my life – I’m talking about just me as a human being, as a man. I mean, I didn’t have a dad growing up, so my mom played both roles. She did a hell of a job raising not only me but my three other brothers,” Portis said.
His grandmother’s message to spread his blessings continues to drive his work.
“Being able to be in a position now to have a voice, to have a platform, to give back, to help inspire. I try to use it to the best of my abilities,” Portis said.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Let’s talk:
Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
Report a typo or error
Milwaukee, WI
Food trucks in Milwaukee brace for new curfew
MILWAUKEE — Saturday is the start of the food truck curfew in downtown Milwaukee. That curfew was passed by the Common Council to address safety concerns after several violent incidents.
Alma Juarez is with Tacos Almita on Water Street in downtown Milwaukee. Juarez said since the city passed the curfew, she’s had just over two weeks to adjust.
“We’re trying to think what we’re going to do,” said Juarez. “Maybe we’re going to start in another place or move the food truck after 10 p.m., but that means we have to start over again.”
She said that means she may also have to start building up a news customer base.
“Moving the truck means that… we have to struggle,” said Juarez.
Juarez is not alone in worrying about her financial future.
Last Thursday, a group of owners took their concerns to city hall. Jennifer Martinez, who’s with the food truck known as Tacos El Pastorcito Mixe, was at that demonstration. She said the late-night hours make up roughly 75% of her revenue.
“During the day, I’ve tried opening very early in the morning — 8 a.m. 9 a.m. — it doesn’t make a difference. There’s no… we don’t have much sales throughout the day,” said Martinez.
Ald. Robert Bauman represents downtown and was the sponsor of the ordinance.
Last week he told Spectrum News that he’s aware of the economic burden the truck operators are facing. However, he said safety concerns are a bigger priority.
“And MPD (Milwaukee Police Department) has said on the record repeatedly that food trucks are a major contributing cause for the loitering and disorder that takes place on Water Street,” said Bauman, who represents District 4 in Milwaukee.
He said he’s willing to take a hit on food trucks and prioritize the concerns of larger businesses.
“If they feel that downtown is not safe anymore, they’ll either not come at all, or they’ll leave as soon as their event is over with and not spend any additional money in the downtown area,” said Bauman.
But Juarez said the city shouldn’t have to do that. She said she believes food trucks aren’t the cause of the problem.
“You can see it in any places, but not here,” said Juarez. “It can happen here, but not in front of the food trucks cause they are saying that a lot of violence, a lot of the things that are going on is in front of the food truck. You can see that all the shooting happens after 1 a.m. or 3 a.m. Last shooting, it was after 1 a.m.”
Food truck owners said they hope to continue to turn a profit after the ordinance starts, but they said they face a potentially tough financial future.
-
Technology11 minutes agoDyson’s powerful 360 Vis Nav robovac is down to $279.99 for a limited time
-
World17 minutes agoAs Trump forces NATO to pay up, alliance races to close military gap with US
-
Politics23 minutes agoInside the US military playbook to cripple Iran if nuclear talks collapse
-
Health29 minutes agoFitness expert visits gyms nationwide, shouts out 4 clubs for ‘getting it right’
-
Sports35 minutes ago2026 INDYCAR Odds: Alex Palou Clear Favorite for Sonsio Grand Prix at IMS
-
Technology41 minutes agoGlobal scam crackdown leads to 276 arrests
-
Business47 minutes agoDisney’s ABC challenges FCC, escalating fight over free speech
-
Entertainment53 minutes agoWriters Guild staff union reaches deal, ending strike after nearly three months