At $1,741/mo, rent takes about 29% of the US median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,741 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in De Forest changed +1.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 42 Wisconsin cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +5.3%.
Rent rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
Beaver Dam, 27 miles away, rents for 21% less ($1,369/mo), about $4,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for De Forest.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How De Forest, WI has changed in 5 years
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%.
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Can you afford rent in De Forest on your salary?
At $1,741/mo, how De Forest rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
De Forest rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in De Forest. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in De Forest
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in De Forest is $1,741/mo as of October 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 29% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), De Forest ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than De Forest?
At $1,741/mo, rent takes ~29% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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