1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Madison, WI
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Madison, Wisconsin as of July 2026. That's +18% lower than the citywide median of $1,656 and +3% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Madison
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Madison
Compare Madison's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Wisconsin
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manitowoc | $710 |
| 2 | Marshfield | $740 |
| 3 | Oshkosh | $760 |
| 4 | Stevens Point | $760 |
| 5 | Wisconsin Rapids | $770 |
| 6 | Weston | $800 |
| 7 | Menomonie | $802 |
| 8 | Wausau | $805 |
| 9 | Menasha | $810 |
| 10 | Appleton | $823 |
| 11 | Superior | $830 |
| 12 | Green Bay | $840 |
| 13 | Beloit | $850 |
| 14 | Watertown | $850 |
| 15 | La Crosse | $860 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Wisconsin
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brookfield | $1,590 |
| 2 | Verona | $1,450 |
| 3 | Hudson | $1,420 |
| 4 | Madison (this page) | $1,354 |
| 5 | Oak Creek | $1,350 |
| 6 | Shorewood | $1,290 |
| 7 | Middleton | $1,290 |
| 8 | Sun Prairie | $1,280 |
| 9 | Menomonee Falls | $1,280 |
| 10 | Franklin | $1,270 |
| 11 | De Forest | $1,240 |
| 12 | Germantown | $1,230 |
| 13 | Fitchburg | $1,227 |
| 14 | River Falls | $1,200 |
| 15 | New Richmond | $1,200 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Madison.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Madison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monona, WI | 3.5 mi | $986 | $-368 (-27%) |
| Fitchburg, WI | 5.5 mi | $1,227 | $-127 (-9%) |
| Middleton, WI | 11.4 mi | $1,290 | $-64 (-5%) |
| De Forest, WI | 13 mi | $1,240 | $-114 (-8%) |
| Verona, WI | 14.7 mi | $1,450 | +$96 (+7%) |
| Sun Prairie, WI | 15.2 mi | $1,280 | $-74 (-5%) |
| Janesville, WI | 32.4 mi | $880 | $-474 (-35%) |
| Baraboo, WI | 37.6 mi | $950 | $-404 (-30%) |
| Beloit, WI | 40.9 mi | $850 | $-504 (-37%) |
| Beaver Dam, WI | 44.9 mi | $880 | $-474 (-35%) |
| Watertown, WI | 46.3 mi | $850 | $-504 (-37%) |
| Machesney Park, IL | 54.6 mi | $1,040 | $-314 (-23%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Madison — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Madison?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Madison, Wisconsin is $1,354 per month. This is +18% below the citywide median of $1,656.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Madison?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $54,160 ($4,513/month gross), which works out to roughly $26.04/hour at a full-time job.
Is Madison expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Madison's 1-bedroom median of $1,354 is +3% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 47th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Madison rank for 1-bedroom rent in Wisconsin?
Among the 62 cities in Wisconsin with 1-bedroom data, Madison ranks #59 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Madison?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Monona ($986), Fitchburg ($1,227), Middleton ($1,290).