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City Report · WI

Brown Deer

Pop. 12,564·17th most expensive in Wisconsin·Brown Deer rents are up 6.7% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,679/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.7%
Month-over-Month
+3.8%
vs US Median
-$283
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Brown Deer · $1,679
More affordable than 63% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
21% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,679/mo, rent takes about 21% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$67,000/yr
Local median income
$93,974/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Brown Deer's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$734
1 BR
$1,124
2 BR
$1,229
3 BR
$2,000
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,229/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,679 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$20,148/yr
At $1,679/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.7% YoY, +3.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Brown Deer, WI is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 40.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,564
Median income
$93,974
Median age
40.5
Renters
34.8%
Age distribution
18.6%
24.6%
25.5%
12.1%
19.1%
Under 1818.6%
18–3424.6%
35–5425.5%
55–6412.1%
65+19.1%
Gender
53.2%
46.8%
Male53.2%
Female46.8%
Race & ethnicity
50.1%
30.1%
White50.1%
Black30.1%
Hispanic8.5%
Asian6.9%
Other4.3%
Education (25+)
23.6%
29.7%
40.7%
No HS diploma6.1%
HS diploma23.6%
Some college29.7%
Bachelor's+40.7%
Housing tenure
65.2%
34.8%
Owner65.2%
Renter34.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Brown Deer, WI has changed in 5 years

Income
$75,536 → $93,974
up 24.4%
Population
12,562 → 12,564
up 0.0%
Renter share
33.8% → 34.8%
+1.0 pts
Bachelor's+
37.6% → 40.7%
+3.1 pts
Median age
42.9 → 40.5
-2.4 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Brown Deer, WI now reports about $93,974, up from $75,536 in 2021. College-educated residents now make up 40.7% of adults here, versus 37.6% in 2021.

Community

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View Brown Deer rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Brown Deer on your salary?

At $1,679/mo, how Brown Deer rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Brown Deer rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Brown Deer. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Brown Deer

About renting in Brown Deer, WI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Brown Deer is $1,679/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $734/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,229/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,124/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,000/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($93,974/yr), Brown Deer ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Brown Deer an affordable city for renters?

Brown Deer is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,679/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($93,974/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Brown Deer falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Brown Deer?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $67,000/year (~$32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,679/mo in Brown Deer. The local median household income is $93,974/yr, meaning the typical Brown Deer household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Brown Deer?

Rent in Brown Deer has increased 6.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Brown Deer rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

Brown Deer is one of the pricier cities in Wisconsin for rent, ranking #17 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,679/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Brown Deer?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Brown Deer ($1,679/mo): Shorewood ($1,374/mo), Milwaukee ($1,458/mo), Glendale ($1,664/mo).

What percentage of Brown Deer residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.8% of Brown Deer households are renters, while 65.2% are owner-occupied. Brown Deer leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Brown Deer rent compare to the national average?

Brown Deer's median rent of $1,679/mo is $283 (14%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Wisconsin, it ranks #17 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,679/mo, rent takes ~21% of Brown Deer's median household income ($93,974/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Brown Deer 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.5–7.65%
Run the Brown Deer affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Brown Deer, WI

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