Milwaukee Among Worst In Cities For Renters, New Report Says

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee is among the worst cities in the United States for renters, more than half of whom fork over at least 30 percent of their monthly income on rent, according to a new Forbes Advisor report.

For the first time in 20 years, U.S. renters on average, spend over the 30 percent threshold for rent, making them rent-burdened, according to the report. In addition, high home prices and rising interest rates are preventing many renters from switching to home ownership, the report said.

In Milwaukee, the situation is worse than most U.S. cities. According to the report, Milwaukee ranks as the 25th worst city for renters in 2023.

Here are some other findings from the report:

• About 47 percent of Milwaukee residents spend at least 30 percent of their income on rent
• In Milwaukee, one-bedroom apartments average 650 square feet, while two-bedroom units average 957 square feet for two-bedroom rentals

To determine the best and worst U.S. cities for renters, Forbes analyzed 96 of the most populated cities across 23 metrics, including rental prices, sizes, affordability, amenities and neighborhood features.

Metropolitan cities in warmer climates are well-represented at the top of the list, according to the report. Chandler, Arizona, came in at No. 1, while Gilbert, Arizona, and Henderson, Nevada, came in at No. 2 and 3, respectively.

But "Bold North" Minneapolis also made the top 10 best U.S. cities for renters:

1. Chandler, Arizona
2. Gilbert, Arizona
3. Henderson, Nevada
4. Plano, Texas
5. Austin, Texas
6. Minneapolis, Minnesota
7. Lincoln, Nebraska
8. Washington, D.C.
9. Denver, Colorado
10. Las Vegas, Nevada

Meanwhile, Newark, New Jersey, earned the title of worst U.S. city for renters. Newark's high percentage of rent-burdened households (56 percent) and small apartment sizes contributed to its ranking.

Here are the top five worst cities for renters, according to the report:

1. Newark, New Jersey
2. Hialeah, Florida
3. San Bernardino, California
4. Anchorage, Alaska
5. Los Angeles, California

According to the report, renters in the country's most populous cities will pay, on average, $1,301 for a one-bedroom and $1,590 for a two-bedroom. The average size for a one-bedroom apartment is 688 square feet and 979 square feet for a two-bedroom.

See the full ranking online.