2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Madison, WI
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Madison, Wisconsin as of October 2026. That's +15% lower than the citywide median of $1,837 and +6% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Wisconsin
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Two Rivers | $950 |
| 2 | Marshfield | $970 |
| 3 | Oshkosh | $990 |
| 4 | Stevens Point | $990 |
| 5 | Wisconsin Rapids | $1,010 |
| 6 | Green Bay | $1,050 |
| 7 | Menasha | $1,050 |
| 8 | Superior | $1,050 |
| 9 | Appleton | $1,053 |
| 10 | Wausau | $1,055 |
| 11 | Saint Francis | $1,060 |
| 12 | Tomah | $1,080 |
| 13 | Beaver Dam | $1,090 |
| 14 | Watertown | $1,093 |
| 15 | Eau Claire | $1,105 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Wisconsin
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brookfield | $1,890 |
| 2 | Hudson | $1,730 |
| 3 | Verona | $1,660 |
| 4 | Oak Creek | $1,610 |
| 5 | Glendale | $1,592 |
| 6 | Madison (this page) | $1,554 |
| 7 | Shorewood | $1,530 |
| 8 | Menomonee Falls | $1,520 |
| 9 | Franklin | $1,510 |
| 10 | Fitchburg | $1,498 |
| 11 | Middleton | $1,480 |
| 12 | Kenosha | $1,477 |
| 13 | Sun Prairie | $1,470 |
| 14 | Germantown | $1,470 |
| 15 | River Falls | $1,460 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Madison.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Madison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monona, WI | 3.5 mi | $1,402 | $-152 (-10%) |
| Fitchburg, WI | 5.5 mi | $1,498 | $-56 (-4%) |
| Middleton, WI | 11.4 mi | $1,480 | $-74 (-5%) |
| De Forest, WI | 13 mi | $1,430 | $-124 (-8%) |
| Verona, WI | 14.7 mi | $1,660 | +$106 (+7%) |
| Sun Prairie, WI | 15.2 mi | $1,470 | $-84 (-5%) |
| Janesville, WI | 32.4 mi | $1,150 | $-404 (-26%) |
| Beloit, WI | 40.9 mi | $1,120 | $-434 (-28%) |
| Beaver Dam, WI | 44.9 mi | $1,090 | $-464 (-30%) |
| Watertown, WI | 46.3 mi | $1,093 | $-461 (-30%) |
| Machesney Park, IL | 54.6 mi | $1,370 | $-184 (-12%) |
| Rockford, IL | 57.9 mi | $1,132 | $-422 (-27%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Madison — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Madison?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Madison, Wisconsin is $1,554 per month. This is +15% below the citywide median of $1,837.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Madison?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $62,160 ($5,180/month gross), which works out to roughly $29.88/hour at a full-time job.
Is Madison expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Madison's 2-bedroom median of $1,554 is +6% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 44th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Madison rank for 2-bedroom rent in Wisconsin?
Among the 56 cities in Wisconsin with 2-bedroom data, Madison ranks #51 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Madison?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Monona ($1,402), Fitchburg ($1,498), Middleton ($1,480).