Rents are 6% below what Fitchburg's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $1,661 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 Fitchburg is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in November 2021.
Rent in Fitchburg changed +1.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 42 Wisconsin cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +5.3%.
Rent has risen 5 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($86,516) is $2,163 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,124).
Janesville, 27 miles away, rents for 30% less ($1,165/mo), about $6,000 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Fitchburg. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Fitchburg, WI is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, 57.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Fitchburg, WI has changed in 5 years
Since 2022, the typical rent in Fitchburg, WI has climbed from $1,366 to $1,661, a 21.6% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in Fitchburg, WI now reports about $86,516, up from $78,218 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 11.1% since 2021, moving from about 29,361 residents to roughly 32,619. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Fitchburg, WI reflects that arc in its own way.
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Can you afford rent in Fitchburg on your salary?
At $1,661/mo, how Fitchburg rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Fitchburg rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Fitchburg. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Fitchburg
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Fitchburg is $1,661/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,208/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,498/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,227/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,518/mo.
At 23% of local median household income ($86,516/yr), Fitchburg ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Fitchburg?
Is rent going up or down in Fitchburg?
How does Fitchburg rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Fitchburg?
At $1,661/mo, rent takes ~23% of Fitchburg's median household income ($86,516/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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