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City Report · WI

De Forest

Pop. 11,501·14th most expensive in Wisconsin·Rental market data updated monthly for De Forest, WI
Median rent (all units)
$1,683/mo
Year-over-Year
-3.8%
Month-over-Month
+5.0%
vs US Median
-$282
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
De Forest · $1,683
More affordable than 63% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,683/mo, rent takes about 28% of the US median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$67,000/yr
US median income
$72,000/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using De Forest's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,050
1 BR
$1,240
2 BR
$1,430
3 BR
$1,880
4 BR+
$2,100
Research median
$1,430/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$20,196/yr
At $1,683/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 3.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-3.8% YoY, +5.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

De Forest, WI is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 41.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
11,501
Median age
40.7
Renters
22.1%
Age distribution
25.6%
15.7%
29%
14.3%
15.6%
Under 1825.6%
18–3415.7%
35–5429%
55–6414.3%
65+15.6%
Gender
48%
52%
Male48%
Female52%
Race & ethnicity
81.8%
White81.8%
Black2.4%
Hispanic7.9%
Asian2%
Other5.9%
Education (25+)
21%
35.1%
41.7%
No HS diploma2.3%
HS diploma21%
Some college35.1%
Bachelor's+41.7%
Housing tenure
77.9%
22.1%
Owner77.9%
Renter22.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How De Forest, WI has changed in 5 years

Population
10,700 → 11,501
up 7.5%
Renter share
23.4% → 22.1%
-1.3 pts
Bachelor's+
38.1% → 41.7%
+3.6 pts
Median age
36.5 → 40.7
+4.2 yrs

Headcount in the area went from 10,700 to 11,501 between 2021 and 2024, a 7.5% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 38.1% to 41.7%.

Community

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View De Forest rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in De Forest on your salary?

At $1,683/mo, how De Forest rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

De Forest rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in De Forest. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in De Forest

About renting in De Forest, WI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in De Forest is $1,683/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,050/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,430/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,240/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,880/mo.

At 28% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), De Forest ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 3.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is De Forest an affordable city for renters?

De Forest is considered affordable for renters. At $1,683/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. De Forest falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in De Forest?

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 $1,683/mo in De Forest.

Is rent going up or down in De Forest?

Rent in De Forest has decreased 3.8% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does De Forest rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

De Forest is one of the pricier cities in Wisconsin for rent, ranking #14 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,683/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than De Forest?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than De Forest ($1,683/mo): Middleton ($1,601/mo), Sun Prairie ($1,642/mo), Madison ($1,656/mo).

What percentage of De Forest residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 22.1% of De Forest households are renters, while 77.9% are owner-occupied. De Forest leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does De Forest rent compare to the national average?

De Forest's median rent of $1,683/mo is $282 (14%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Wisconsin, it ranks #14 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,683/mo, rent takes ~28% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

De Forest 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.5–7.65%
Run the De Forest affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in De Forest
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near De Forest, WI

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