Rents are right about where Janesville's 10-year trend predicts.
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 $1,165 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 Janesville is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in November 2022.
Rent in Janesville changed +7.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 42 Wisconsin cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +5.3%.
Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($73,446) is $1,836 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,530).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Janesville. 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
Janesville, WI is majority owner-occupied, 27.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Janesville, WI has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Janesville, WI stood at $922 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,165, reflecting a 26.4% increase over the period. Census figures show median household income at $73,446 today, compared with $63,259 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2023.
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Can you afford rent in Janesville on your salary?
At $1,165/mo, how Janesville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Janesville rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Janesville. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Janesville
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Janesville is $1,165/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $820/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,150/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,510/mo.
At 19% of local median household income ($73,446/yr), Janesville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Janesville?
Which Janesville neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Janesville rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?
At $1,165/mo, rent takes ~19% of Janesville's median household income ($73,446/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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