Is West Allis Safe, Pros and cons of living in West Allis

West Allis, a vibrant suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and urban convenience. Its rich industrial history, dating back to the early 20th century with the Edward P. Allis Company, has shaped its identity as a community that values both its heritage and its forward momentum. The city provides a diverse range of amenities, from parks and recreational facilities to a bustling downtown area, making it an attractive option for those seeking a well-rounded place to live.

This city, nestled within Milwaukee County, has grown significantly since its early days as an agricultural community. Today, it stands as a testament to urban development and community planning, offering a unique living experience within the greater Milwaukee metropolitan area. West Allis continues to evolve, embracing new opportunities while maintaining the strong sense of community that has defined it for generations.

Is it Safe to Live in West Allis?

West Allis presents a complex picture regarding safety, with crime rates that are higher than the national average in some aspects, yet lower in others. The overall crime rate is 5.4% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). However, violent crimes in West Allis occur at a rate of 257 per 100,000 individuals, which is 28.6% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Conversely, property crime in West Allis is higher than the national average, with 1978 incidents per 100,000 residents, an increase of 12.4% above the U.S. average (as reported by AreaVibes). Specifically, motor vehicle theft is a notable concern, with West Allis having one of the highest rates in the nation according to FBI crime data (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Your chance of becoming a victim of a property crime in West Allis is 1 in 51 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

When considering safety, it’s important to note that crime rates can vary significantly by neighborhood. While specific neighborhood data is not always available, crime maps suggest that property crimes, such as theft and burglary, are more prevalent than violent crimes (as reported by DoorProfit). Residents generally consider the central parts of the city to be the safest, with crime rates varying from 1 in 26 in the northeast neighborhoods to 1 in 35 in the central areas (as reported by Niche). The city’s crime rate is considered higher than the average U.S. city, earning it a D+ grade for safety (as reported by AreaVibes).

Cost of Living

The cost of living in West Allis is higher than the state average but lower than the national city average (as reported by CityRating.com). This balance makes it an appealing location for many individuals and families. The median household income in West Allis was $67,611 (as reported by West Allis Authority). For renters, the median household income was $43,992 according to 2022 Census data (as reported by Point2Homes).

Housing costs are a significant factor in the overall cost of living. The median rent price in West Allis is approximately $1,299 per month for a one-bedroom apartment (as reported by Apartments.com). Some sources indicate a median rent price of $1,007 (as reported by Niche), while others list it as $1,071 last month (as reported by Redfin). The median listing home price in West Allis is $289,900 (as reported by Realtor.com®), with the average home value being $268,506 as of March 2026 (as reported by Zillow).

The rent-to-income ratio in West Allis is 27.5%, suggesting that rent generally takes a manageable portion of residents’ earnings (as reported by Point2Homes). A comfortable monthly budget for rent, based on the average rent of $1,299, would be around $4,330 per month or $51,960 per year, adhering to the guideline of spending no more than 30% of income on housing (as reported by Apartments.com).

Housing Market Insights

West Allis’s housing market is described as balanced, with a median listing price of $284,900 (as reported by West Allis Housing Market & Rental trends). The median home value is reported as $203,800 (as reported by Niche), and more recently as $189,209 (as reported by Livability.com). Home prices have seen an increase, with a median sale price of $254,000 in February 2026 (as reported by Zillow) and a median listing home price of $289,900 (as reported by Realtor.com®).

The market is quite active, with homes selling relatively quickly. The median sale price of a home in West Allis was $280K in March 2026, representing a 17.2% increase compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Homes typically sell after 32 days on the market, a slight decrease from 35 days the previous year (as reported by Redfin). The sale-to-list price ratio is 102.6%, indicating that homes are frequently selling above their asking price (as reported by Redfin).

In terms of ownership, approximately 56% of housing units in West Allis are owner-occupied (as reported by West Allis Authority). The median property tax is $2,225 (as reported by Livability.com). For those interested in renting, the median rent price is around $1,007 per month (as reported by Niche), with average rents for apartments varying by size, from approximately $1,383 for a studio to $1,543 for a two-bedroom unit (as reported by Apartments.com).

Job Market and Economy

The economic landscape of West Allis has evolved significantly from its industrial past. Once dominated by companies like Allis-Chalmers, which was a major employer until its bankruptcy in 1987 (as reported by West Allis Authority), the city now hosts a diverse range of businesses. Today, major employers include Siemens Power Corp. and Quad Graphics, a national printing firm (as reported by West Allis, WI | Advisory Council on Historic Preservation). Other significant companies in the area include Walmart, McDonald’s, and Target (as reported by Indeed.com).

The average salary in West Allis is approximately $68,062 per year, or $33 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). However, other sources indicate a slightly different average annual salary of $52,055 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income in West Allis was reported as $67,611 (as reported by West Allis Authority), with a median individual income of $42,203 in 2024 (as reported by Data Commons).

The unemployment rate in the Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI (MSA) was 5% as of February 2026 (as reported by FRED). This figure is part of a broader trend where employment in the region grew by 0.285% from 2023 to 2024 (as reported by Data USA).

Climate and Weather

West Allis experiences a climate characterized by warm summers, cold, snowy winters, and partly cloudy conditions year-round. The temperature typically ranges from 16°F to 81°F, rarely falling below -2°F or exceeding 90°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The warm season extends from late May to mid-September, with average daily high temperatures climbing above 71°F. July is the hottest month, with average highs around 81°F and lows around 63°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Conversely, the cold season lasts from early December to early March, with average daily high temperatures below 39°F. January is the coldest month, with average highs of 29°F and lows of 17°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The annual precipitation averages around 33.82 inches, with snowfall typically reaching 48 inches (as reported by World Climate).

The clearest part of the year occurs from mid-June to late October, with August being the sunniest month. The cloudier season spans from late October to mid-June, with January being the cloudiest month (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The best time to visit West Allis for comfortable weather is generally from mid-May to September, when temperatures are mild, ranging between 20°C and 28°C (as reported by West Allis, WI | Weather & Climate).

Education and Schools

West Allis is served by the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District, which operates 16 schools, including elementary, intermediate, and high schools, catering to approximately 6,938 students (as reported by Public School Review). The district is ranked within the bottom 50% of all school districts in Wisconsin based on combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year (as reported by Public School Review). The average math proficiency score is 20%, and the reading proficiency score is 27%, both lower than the statewide averages (as reported by Public School Review).

Despite overall lower rankings, some schools within the district show stronger performance. Walker Elementary and Mitchell Elementary are noted for consistently performing above district and state averages on standardized tests (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The James E. Dottke Project-Based Learning High School also demonstrates higher proficiency rates in Social Studies compared to other district high schools (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The district’s graduation rate stands at 87% (as reported by Public School Review).

Minority enrollment constitutes 57% of the student body, which is higher than the Wisconsin public school average (as reported by Public School Review). The district also ranks highly for diversity and has a large student body (as reported by Public School Review).

Demographics

West Allis is home to approximately 59,612 residents (as reported by West Allis Authority), with a median age of 39.7 years (as reported by Data Commons). The population is fairly balanced between genders, with roughly 50% male and 50% female (as reported by Niche). Approximately 56% of housing units are owner-occupied (as reported by West Allis Authority).

The racial composition of West Allis includes a significant White (non-Hispanic) population, making up 69.8% of residents according to Census ACS 2022 data (as reported by West Allis Authority). Other significant demographic groups include Hispanic or Latino residents at 17.1% (as reported by West Allis Authority) and African Americans at 5.0% (as reported by West Allis Authority). A smaller percentage of residents identify as Asian (2.7%) or belonging to two or more races (5%) (as reported by Niche).

The foreign-born population in West Allis is approximately 6% of residents, which is similar to the national average (as reported by Data USA). Most residents are U.S. citizens, with a rate of 97.1% in 2024, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA).