You may be contemplating a home in Minneapolis, MN, or an condo in Milwaukee, WI, as these two Midwest cities share a wealthy cultural historical past and a love for the humanities. Minneapolis boasts a thriving job market and vibrant lakeside neighborhoods, whereas Milwaukee gives a decrease value of residing and a status for its brewing heritage. Whether or not you’re drawn to the bustling streets of Minneapolis or Milwaukee’s riverside attraction, choosing the proper metropolis to name house is a giant choice.
From actual property costs and job alternatives to value of residing and cultural experiences, there’s rather a lot to contemplate. On this Redfin article, we’ll discover the important thing variations that can assist you decide which metropolis is the most effective match in your subsequent transfer.
Housing in Minneapolis vs Milwaukee
Minneapolis and Milwaukee every supply distinctive housing markets, balancing city residing and suburban attraction. Let’s evaluate the important thing variations in housing prices, house, and way of life between these two Midwest cities.
Housing in Minneapolis
Minneapolis includes a numerous housing market, from trendy condos in Downtown Minneapolis to traditional Craftsman-style properties in neighborhoods like Northeast and Uptown. The town’s mixture of city power and lakeside residing appeals to professionals and households alike. Minneapolis is understood for its robust housing market and vibrant neighborhood life, providing choices for each funds and elegance.
Housing in Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s housing market is extra inexpensive, with charming properties in historic Milwaukee neighborhoods like Bay View and Brewers Hill. The town gives a spread of housing kinds, from cozy bungalows to modern flats downtown. Milwaukee’s affordability, mixed with its robust neighborhood really feel, makes it a pretty choice for consumers and renters alike.
Price of residing in Minneapolis vs Milwaukee
The price of residing in Milwaukee, WI is 7% larger than the price of residing in Minneapolis, MN. Variations in utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare contribute to a lot of the hole.
1. Utilities
Utilities in Milwaukee are about 1% inexpensive than in Minneapolis. Harsh winters in Minneapolis result in larger heating prices, whereas Milwaukee’s barely milder local weather helps hold utility bills decrease.
2. Groceries
Groceries in Minneapolis and Milwaukee value about the identical. Each cities profit from Midwest agriculture, leading to related pricing, though Milwaukee’s smaller inhabitants generally gives slight financial savings.
3. Transportation
Transportation prices in Milwaukee are about 6% dearer than in Minneapolis. Whereas Minneapolis has a strong public transit system and bike-friendly infrastructure, Milwaukee’s commuting bills are larger resulting from fewer public transit choices and reliance on automobiles.
4. Healthcare
Healthcare in Milwaukee is roughly 6% dearer than in Minneapolis. Regardless of Minneapolis having a focus of specialised medical amenities, Milwaukee’s healthcare prices surpass these of Minneapolis resulting from fewer aggressive choices.
5. Life-style
Life-style bills in Milwaukee are about 2% dearer than in Minneapolis. Whereas Minneapolis gives a wider vary of cultural and leisure actions, Milwaukee’s rising arts and eating scene has pushed prices barely larger.
Minneapolis vs Milwaukee in dimension and inhabitants: A Midwest comparability
Minneapolis and Milwaukee, two main Midwest cities, showcase distinct traits in dimension and inhabitants. Minneapolis covers about 57 sq. miles with a inhabitants of roughly 430,000, making a vibrant and vigorous city core. Milwaukee, barely bigger at 96 sq. miles, has a inhabitants of round 577,000, making it extra unfold out however equally energetic. Minneapolis gives a extra compact and walkable metropolis expertise with plentiful inexperienced areas round its many lakes, whereas Milwaukee’s bigger footprint balances city residing with entry to its iconic riverside and Lake Michigan shoreline. Each cities present a dynamic mixture of metropolitan and pure sights, interesting to numerous life.
Climate and local weather in Minneapolis vs Milwaukee
Minneapolis’ local weather and Milwaukee’s local weather each expertise a traditional Midwest local weather, with sizzling, humid summers and lengthy, chilly winters. Minneapolis sees colder and snowier winters resulting from its extra northern location, whereas Milwaukee advantages from Lake Michigan’s moderating impact, making its winters barely milder however extra liable to lake-effect snow. Summers are heat in each cities, although Milwaukee’s proximity to the lake retains temperatures barely cooler. Each cities are often in danger for extreme thunderstorms and tornadoes throughout the hotter months, with Minneapolis sometimes dealing with harsher winter circumstances general.
The job market in Minneapolis vs Milwaukee
Minneapolis: A various and rising economic system
Minneapolis boasts a various job market, with robust sectors in finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. Main employers like Goal, UnitedHealth Group, and 3M drive town’s financial progress. The employment fee in Minneapolis is round 72%, with a median family earnings of $81,000. The typical hourly wage is $33.80, reflecting town’s sturdy incomes potential, notably in industries like healthcare, know-how, and retail.
Milwaukee: Trade and brewing heritage
Milwaukee’s job market is rooted in manufacturing, healthcare, and its well-known brewing business. Corporations like Harley-Davidson, Aurora Well being Care, and Molson Coors present a gentle stream of employment alternatives. Milwaukee’s employment fee is roughly 62%, with a median family earnings of $53,000. The typical hourly wage is $30.11, providing aggressive earnings in sectors like superior manufacturing, healthcare, and brewing, together with a decrease value of residing in comparison with Minneapolis.
Transportation in Minneapolis vs Milwaukee
Minneapolis: Transit-friendly and bikeable
Minneapolis includes a well-connected transportation system, together with Metro Transit buses and lightweight rail providers just like the Blue and Inexperienced Strains, which make commuting handy. The town is very bike-friendly, with intensive bike lanes and trails, such because the Midtown Greenway. Whereas automobile possession is widespread, public transit and biking are extensively used, particularly within the city core.
Milwaukee: Walkable with room for transit progress
Milwaukee gives a compact and walkable downtown, with The Hop streetcar and Milwaukee County Transit System buses offering public transit choices. Whereas not as intensive as Minneapolis, biking is gaining traction, supported by bike lanes and trails alongside Lake Michigan. Automotive possession is widespread as a result of metropolis’s spread-out neighborhoods and restricted transit attain past central areas.
Journey out and in of Minneapolis vs Milwaukee
Each Minneapolis and Milwaukee are well-connected transportation hubs within the Midwest, providing numerous journey choices to fulfill regional and nationwide wants.
Minneapolis: Minneapolis−Saint Paul Worldwide Airport (MSP) is a significant hub for home and worldwide flights, serving as a key connection level within the Midwest. Amtrak’s Empire Builder line connects Minneapolis to Chicago and Seattle. Greyhound and Megabus present regional bus providers, whereas the Metro Transit system makes it straightforward to navigate the Twin Cities. The town’s location close to the Mississippi River additionally permits for scenic river cruises throughout the hotter months.
Milwaukee: Normal Mitchell Worldwide Airport serves Milwaukee with home and a few worldwide flights, providing handy entry to locations throughout the U.S. Amtrak’s Hiawatha Service connects Milwaukee to Chicago with frequent every day routes. Greyhound and Megabus buses present further journey choices, and Lake Michigan ferries supply a singular method to attain Michigan and different locations throughout the Nice Lakes.
Life-style and issues to do in Minneapolis and Milwaukee
A day within the lifetime of a Minneapolitan
Life in Minneapolis combines city power with pure magnificence. Mornings would possibly begin with a motorcycle trip alongside the Chain of Lakes or espresso at a restaurant within the North Loop. The town’s thriving arts scene attracts residents to galleries and theaters just like the Guthrie. Evenings are sometimes spent eating at a farm-to-table restaurant or catching a dwell efficiency at First Avenue. Weekends might contain kayaking on the Mississippi River or attending one of many metropolis’s many festivals.
Prime issues to do in Minneapolis:
Google Avenue View of the Mill Metropolis Museum
Minneapolis parks and out of doors actions:
Google Avenue View of Minnehaha Falls Park
Minneapolis vacationer sights:
Minneapolis Sculpture Backyard
Mall of America (close by)
Minnehaha Falls
Mill Metropolis Museum
Goal Area
A day within the lifetime of a Milwaukeean
Milwaukee life blends wealthy historical past with a laid-back vibe. Mornings would possibly start with a stroll alongside the RiverWalk or a cup of espresso at a Third Ward cafe. Residents take pleasure in visiting breweries, eating at native eating places, or attending festivals like Summerfest. The town’s vibrant lakefront offers alternatives for crusing or biking alongside Lake Michigan. Evenings are sometimes spent at a Bucks recreation or having fun with dwell music at historic venues.
Prime issues to do in Milwaukee:
Google Avenue View of the Milwaukee Artwork Museum
Milwaukee parks and out of doors actions:
Google Avenue View of the Oak Leaf Path
Milwaukee vacationer sights:
Milwaukee Artwork Museum
Harley-Davidson Museum
Mitchell Park Domes
Milwaukee Public Market
Discovery World Science and Know-how Heart
Meals and tradition in Minneapolis and Milwaukee
Minneapolis: A melting pot of flavors and creativity
Minneapolis is a haven for meals lovers, providing a mixture of conventional Midwest consolation meals and worldwide delicacies. Juicy Lucy burgers are a neighborhood favourite, however the metropolis additionally boasts numerous eating choices, together with Scandinavian, Ethiopian, and Vietnamese fare. Minneapolis’ cultural festivals, such because the Minnesota State Truthful and the Twin Cities Jazz Pageant, carry folks collectively to have fun meals, music, and the humanities. The town’s thriving arts scene options famend establishments just like the Walker Artwork Heart and dwell music venues reminiscent of First Avenue, making Minneapolis a cultural hotspot.
Milwaukee: Beer, brats, and past
Milwaukee’s meals tradition is deeply tied to its brewing historical past, with craft breweries and beer gardens scattered throughout town. Basic Wisconsin fare, like cheese curds and bratwurst, is a must-try, however Milwaukee’s meals scene additionally features a rising array of world cuisines. Occasions like Summerfest and the Wisconsin State Truthful have fun town’s vibrant tradition with meals, music, and artwork. Milwaukee’s cultural highlights embody the Milwaukee Artwork Museum and historic theaters just like the Pabst, which host performances starting from Broadway reveals to native acts.
Sports activities scene in Minneapolis and Milwaukee
Minneapolis: A various lineup of groups
Minneapolis gives a vibrant sports activities scene, with main groups throughout a number of leagues, together with the Minnesota Vikings (NFL), Twins (MLB), Timberwolves (NBA), and Wild (NHL). The town additionally hosts Minnesota United FC for soccer followers, with Allianz Area offering a state-of-the-art venue. Minneapolis’ sports activities tradition is enhanced by its school groups, notably the College of Minnesota’s Golden Gophers, and its dedication to out of doors actions like biking, operating, and winter sports activities.
Milwaukee: Passionate followers and native pleasure
Milwaukee’s sports activities tradition is constructed on its passionate fan base, with the Milwaukee Brewers (MLB) and Bucks (NBA) main the best way. The Bucks’ current NBA championship has elevated town’s basketball fervor, with Fiserv Discussion board changing into a central hub for sports activities and leisure. Milwaukee additionally embraces soccer by Ahead Madison FC and school athletics from Marquette College. The town’s annual occasions, just like the Lakefront Marathon, add to its sturdy athletic tradition, mixing skilled sports activities with neighborhood participation.