RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · WI

Grafton

Pop. 12,445·9th most expensive in Wisconsin·Rental market data updated monthly for Grafton, WI
Median rent (all units)
$1,783/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+7.1%
vs US Median
-$182
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Grafton rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Grafton · $1,783
More affordable than 55% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
24% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,783/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$71,000/yr
Local median income
$89,861/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Grafton's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$930
1 BR
$1,040
2 BR
$1,240
3 BR
$1,540
4 BR+
$1,680
Research median
$1,240/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$21,396/yr
At $1,783/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +7.1% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Grafton, WI is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 47.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,445
Median income
$89,861
Median age
41.5
Renters
38.7%
Age distribution
19.4%
22.7%
23.9%
13.4%
20.6%
Under 1819.4%
18–3422.7%
35–5423.9%
55–6413.4%
65+20.6%
Gender
49.8%
50.2%
Male49.8%
Female50.2%
Race & ethnicity
89.5%
White89.5%
Black2.5%
Hispanic3.5%
Asian1.1%
Other3.4%
Education (25+)
20.9%
29.7%
47.2%
No HS diploma2.2%
HS diploma20.9%
Some college29.7%
Bachelor's+47.2%
Housing tenure
61.3%
38.7%
Owner61.3%
Renter38.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Grafton, WI has changed in 5 years

Income
$77,518 → $89,861
up 15.9%
Population
12,081 → 12,445
up 3.0%
Renter share
32.8% → 38.7%
+5.9 pts
Bachelor's+
44.4% → 47.2%
+2.8 pts
Median age
42.3 → 41.5
-0.8 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Grafton, WI now reports about $89,861, up from $77,518 in 2021. Census counts show Grafton, WI adding about 364 residents over the five-year window, up 3.0% on net. The renter share has risen from 32.8% to 38.7%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 44.4% to 47.2% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Grafton

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Grafton rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Grafton on your salary?

At $1,783/mo, how Grafton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Grafton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Grafton

About renting in Grafton, WI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Grafton is $1,783/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $930/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,240/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,040/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,540/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($89,861/yr), Grafton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Grafton an affordable city for renters?

Grafton is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,783/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($89,861/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Grafton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Grafton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $71,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,783/mo in Grafton. The local median household income is $89,861/yr, meaning the typical Grafton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Grafton?

Rent in Grafton has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Grafton rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

Grafton is one of the pricier cities in Wisconsin for rent, ranking #9 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,783/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Grafton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Grafton ($1,783/mo): Brown Deer ($1,618/mo), Glendale ($1,671/mo), Saukville ($1,672/mo).

What percentage of Grafton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38.7% of Grafton households are renters, while 61.3% are owner-occupied. Grafton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Grafton rent compare to the national average?

Grafton's median rent of $1,783/mo is $182 (9%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Wisconsin, it ranks #9 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,783/mo, rent takes ~24% of Grafton's median household income ($89,861/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Grafton 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.5–7.65%
Run the Grafton affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Grafton
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Grafton, WI

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Grafton.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.