Travel Nurse Housing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Complete Guide

Milwaukee is a lakefront city with a rich brewing heritage, passionate sports fans, and a surprisingly vibrant arts and dining scene along Lake Michigan. Travel nurses will find a solid healthcare market, very affordable housing, and a welcoming Midwestern community.

Milwaukee’s healthcare market is served by major systems including Froedtert Health (affiliated with the Medical College of Wisconsin), Ascension Wisconsin, Advocate Aurora Health, and the VA Medical Center. The Medical College of Wisconsin campus in Wauwatosa is a major hub for academic medicine.

Whether you are heading to Milwaukee for your first travel nursing assignment or returning for another contract, this guide will help you navigate the housing market, understand what to expect from local costs, and find a neighborhood that fits your needs. Milwaukee has a lot to offer travel nurses, and a little planning goes a long way toward making your assignment a success.

Major Hospitals and Health Systems

Milwaukee is home to several major hospitals and health systems that consistently hire travel nurses across a wide range of specialties. Knowing which facilities are in the area helps you plan your housing search around commute times and gives you a sense of where demand is concentrated.

Froedtert Hospital — The flagship academic medical center of Froedtert Health affiliated with the Medical College of Wisconsin. Located in Wauwatosa, it is a Level I trauma center with nationally recognized programs.

Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s — A large hospital system with campuses on the lakefront and in the Milwaukee suburbs offering comprehensive medical and surgical services.

Advocate Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center — One of the largest hospitals in the state with strong cardiac surgery, transplant, and oncology programs.

Children’s Wisconsin — The region’s only independent children’s hospital, located adjacent to Froedtert on the Medical College campus. It is a top-ranked pediatric facility.

Travel nurse demand in Milwaukee is generally steady, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and OR being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during winter flu season. If you are flexible on specialty or shift, you will have even more options to choose from in this market.

Best Neighborhoods for Travel Nurses

Choosing the right neighborhood is one of the most important decisions you will make during your Milwaukee assignment. Where you live affects your commute, your safety, your access to amenities, and ultimately your quality of life for the duration of your contract. Here are the top neighborhoods that travel nurses should consider when searching for housing in Milwaukee.

Third Ward

Milwaukee’s most walkable neighborhood in a former warehouse district with boutique shops, restaurants, the Milwaukee Public Market, and waterfront access along the Milwaukee River.

Pros: Extremely walkable, Public Market, waterfront dining, close to downtown hospitals

Cons: Higher rents for Milwaukee, limited parking, noisy on weekends

Bay View

A trendy south side neighborhood along the lakefront with independent restaurants, bars, and South Shore Park. It has become Milwaukee’s hippest neighborhood.

Pros: Trendy dining and bar scene, lakefront access, affordable rents, strong community identity

Cons: Farther from Froedtert and north side hospitals, limited transit, hilly terrain near the lake

Wauwatosa

A suburb immediately west of Milwaukee and home to the Froedtert/Medical College campus. Tosa Village has walkable shops and restaurants.

Pros: Close to Froedtert campus, walkable Tosa Village, safe residential streets, moderate rents

Cons: Suburban feel, limited nightlife compared to downtown, car needed for most errands

East Side and Brady Street

The neighborhoods around Brady Street and the UWM campus offer a lively mix of restaurants, bars, and shops popular with young professionals.

Pros: Vibrant Brady Street corridor, near the lakefront, good bus connections, student-area energy

Cons: Parking is limited, noise from bars, older housing stock, winter wind off the lake is intense

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Milwaukee has a bus system (MCTS) but most travel nurses drive. The city is compact and most commutes are under 20 minutes. Parking is generally free or inexpensive except in the Third Ward and downtown. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Milwaukee through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Milwaukee are roughly in line with the national average. Here is a general overview of what you can expect to pay for rental housing in the area. Keep in mind that prices vary by neighborhood, season, and the specific amenities included with the unit.

• Studio apartment: $700 to $1,100 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $850 to $1,400 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,100 to $1,800 per month

Milwaukee offers very affordable housing. Your stipend will stretch far, and furnished apartments are available at reasonable prices. Wauwatosa is ideal for Froedtert nurses, while the Third Ward and East Side work well for downtown hospital assignments.

Many travel nurses in Milwaukee find their housing through Furnished Finder , which connects healthcare travelers with landlords who specifically offer furnished, short-term rentals designed for assignment-length stays. It is one of the most widely used housing platforms in the travel nursing industry and an excellent starting point for your search. You can also explore local Facebook groups, Craigslist, and extended-stay hotels to compare your options and find the best fit for your budget and preferences.

GSA Stipend Rate

The General Services Administration publishes per diem rates that many travel nursing agencies use as a baseline for calculating housing and meals and incidentals stipends. The GSA rate for the Milwaukee, WI area varies by time of year, with higher rates typically applying during peak travel seasons and lower rates during off-peak months.

It is essential to check the current GSA per diem rate for your specific assignment dates and location, as rates are updated annually each October and can change significantly from year to year. You can look up the exact rate on the GSA website or ask your recruiter for the figures they are using to calculate your pay package. Keep in mind that your actual stipend may differ from the published GSA rate depending on your agency’s internal pay structure and policies.

Understanding how your stipend fits into your total compensation is key to evaluating any travel nursing contract. For help breaking down the numbers, use our pay calculator to compare packages side by side and see your estimated take-home pay after taxes, stipends, and deductions.

Housing Tips for Milwaukee

Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Milwaukee that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.

1. Winter is no joke — Milwaukee winters are long and harsh with heavy snow, ice, and wind chill well below zero. Budget for quality winter gear and snow tires for your car.

2. Summer is spectacular — If your assignment falls in summer, Milwaukee transforms with lakefront festivals, Summerfest (the world’s largest music festival), and outdoor dining. It is one of the best summer cities in the Midwest.

3. Beer culture is genuine — Milwaukee’s brewing heritage is everywhere. Tour the Lakefront Brewery, explore craft breweries in Bay View, and enjoy $5 pints that would cost double in coastal cities.

4. Wisconsin income tax — Wisconsin has a state income tax that can be notable. Factor this into your financial planning, though the low cost of living generally compensates.

For a comprehensive overview of the housing search process from start to finish, including how to spot scams and negotiate lease terms, check out our complete travel nurse housing guide. It covers everything you need to know regardless of which city you are heading to.

Cost of Living Overview

Milwaukee has a cost of living roughly at the national average, making it very affordable for a lakefront city. Groceries are at national norms. Gas is moderate. Dining out is a great value, with Friday fish fry, cheese curds, and excellent craft beer at very reasonable prices.

When budgeting for your Milwaukee assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Pick ‘n Save and Aldi are popular grocery options. Milwaukee’s Friday fish fry tradition means nearly every restaurant offers an affordable and delicious fish dinner on Fridays. The city’s craft beer scene offers excellent drinks at prices well below coastal city norms. Tracking your spending during the first two weeks of your assignment will give you a realistic picture of your monthly costs and help you adjust your budget accordingly.

Things to Do on Days Off

One of the greatest perks of travel nursing is the opportunity to explore a new city on your days off. Milwaukee has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Lakefront Trail — Run, bike, or walk along miles of paved trail on the Lake Michigan shore with stunning water views and public art installations.
• Milwaukee Art Museum — The iconic Santiago Calatrava-designed museum on the lakefront with a moving sunscreen that opens like wings. The collection is excellent and free on certain days.
• Third Ward and Public Market — Browse artisan vendors, grab local cheese curds and craft beer, and explore the shops in Milwaukee’s most walkable neighborhood.
• Summerfest — If your assignment overlaps with late June or early July, experience the world’s largest music festival on the lakefront with over 800 acts across 12 stages.

Take full advantage of your time in Milwaukee. Exploring the local culture, trying restaurants you have never heard of, and visiting nearby attractions are what make travel nursing more than just a paycheck. Many travel nurses find that their days off are when they truly fall in love with a new city.

Final Thoughts

Milwaukee, Wisconsin offers travel nurses an affordable lakefront city with solid hospital systems, a welcoming community, and a surprisingly vibrant food and beer culture. With Froedtert Health, Ascension Wisconsin, and Advocate Aurora Health and a average cost of living, it is a market well worth considering whether you are a first-time traveler or a seasoned veteran looking for your next destination.

Start your housing search as early as possible, ideally four to six weeks before your assignment start date. The best furnished rentals tend to go quickly, especially in popular neighborhoods near major hospitals. Furnished Finder is an excellent resource for finding travel nurse housing in Milwaukee, and joining local travel nurse social media groups can give you insider tips and real-time availability updates.

For more resources on finding and securing great travel nurse housing anywhere in the country, explore our complete housing guide. And when you are comparing pay packages for Milwaukee assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

We wish you the best on your Milwaukee assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.