Written by: Madeline Blake
Date:

Living in Chicago means having amazing opportunities and living in a city that is one of the largest urban areas. But, big cities can sometimes be too much, and cons such as traffic, parking, and pollution can get to you. While yes, Chicago is a wonderful city, it also lacks proximity to oceans and mountains, so it can be hard for nature lovers to live there. If you are looking for the pros and cons of moving from Chicago to Milwaukee, keep on reading. You can see what are some basic differences you should be prepared for, what prices to expect in Milwaukee, and all this in hopes you make your moving decision easier. Once you have your decision, you can also see our Verified Movers reviews to help you find the perfect company to relocate you.

Learn important information before you move to Milwaukee 

Milwaukee is a nice mid-sized city in the state of Wisconsin. It is located on the shore of Lake Michigan which makes it an amazing city for people who want to be close to water. This also attracts a lot of tourists to the city. There are more than 550,000 residents living here, and with the help of cross country moving companies Milwaukee, you can be one of them easily. Since moving to a new city can be stressful, you should know some information about it before your relocation. When it comes to Milwaukee, you should know that:

  • It gets pretty cold. As with all of the midwest states, the temperature is often below zero, and the snow lasts a long time. But, the good thing is that people there enjoy it a lot, so you can easily find friends snowboarding or ice skating.
  • The cost of living is quite affordable. This might be one of the best pros about the city, as housing prices are pretty low. Although, the property tax is the highest in the state, being 2.53%.
  • Traffic jams are a constant thing. You can’t do a lot about it other than try to avoid rush hours.
  • The city offers amazing food diversity. If you are trying to minimize your eating outside, we can’t recommend Milwaukee. Finding restaurants that offer food from all around the world is too tempting and will make you go out and explore all the time.
A couple holding boxes before moving from Chicago to Milwaukee
Before moving from Chicago to Milwaukee, do proper research about what to expect

What differences can you expect when moving from Chicago to Milwaukee? 

Before calling the top movers in Chicago, see what are all the changes you will see once you move from Chicago to Milwaukee. Even though these two cities are not that far away, you can see a noticeable difference in the size, resident number, and lifestyle. Going from around 3 million people in Chicago to 500,000 in Milwaukee is big. But, it can be one of the reasons people move, as you can get a more calm and slower lifestyle. Among the most important differences is definitely the fact that Milwaukee offers public healthcare. 

Weather is one of the similarities between the two cities

Finding similarities can also help you adjust easily as you won’t feel like in a completely different place. And the location of these two cities means that they share almost the same weather. In both cities, you will experience all four seasons, with no big differences in temperatures. So, while we mentioned cold snowy winters in Milwaukee, coming from Chicago, that won’t be a high problem for you. You only have what to gain, meaning that you will now be able to enjoy summers at the lake beach.

A house under the snow
You can still enjoy snowy cold winters in both cities

How much does it cost to live in Milwaukee?

Another reason why you might be thinking of moving to Milwaukee from Chicago is the cost of living. Yes, Chicago is the third biggest city in the country and the prices are pretty high. Moving to Milwaukee will mean paying less for groceries, housing, and public transportation. To be more exact, life in Chicago is 26,8% more expensive than the life you can have in Milwaukee. That sounds good, right? If it is, feel free to contact cross country moving companies Chicago to arrange their services for your relocation. 

The cost of living in Milwaukee is 2% less than the national average. As housing is one of the most important things, it is good to know that the average house price is $175,000. This means that the housing in Milwaukee is 79% lower than in Chicago. All in all, a family of four would need around $3,512 for a month, without paying rent or mortgage.

Find more work opportunities after moving from Chicago to Milwaukee

When it comes to working opportunities, Milwaukee has a very stable job market and a strong economy. Also, unemployment is 2,1% lower in Milwaukee. These are more reasons to add to your list of pros and call top movers in Milwaukee so you can become one of the residents as soon as possible. The individual average salary in the city is around $26,000, while the household is $43,100. The city is known for its leadership in the precision manufacturing of medical equipment and industrial controls. Other popular industries are: 

  • Healthcare
  • Brewing industry
  • Finance & Insurance

How good is the education in the “Cream City”?

The city has plenty of educational options, from preschools to higher education. Currently, the two best school districts in the area are Elmbrook School District and Whitefish Bay School District. These are rated highly by the state but also the former students. When it comes to public schools, you won’t need to worry about the quality of education your kids are getting. And for those who are looking for higher education while staying close, there is the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. The full yearly tuition is $9,610 while for out-of-state students or goes up to $21,470 per year.

Teacher in a classroom with students
Milwaukee has good education options no matter what you need

Adjusting to Milwaukee is easy

After you finish moving from Chicago to Milwaukee it is time to relax and adjust to your new life. And we are sure that this won’t be a problem for you. The city offers amazing opportunities and a large number of fun activities and events as we mentioned. You can also start exploring your new city as fast as you want. The thing that is always recommended is a lovely relaxing walk on the Riverwalk pedestrian path. And one of the most famous attractions is of course Milwaukee’s Lakefront. Enjoy this mesmerizing downtown and everything it offers. Visit museums like Milwaukee Art Museum, and Harley Davidson Museum and explore Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory.