3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Madison, WI
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Madison, Wisconsin as of August 2026. That's +26% higher than the citywide median of $1,621 and +4% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Wisconsin
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manitowoc | $1,120 |
| 2 | Stevens Point | $1,190 |
| 3 | Marshfield | $1,250 |
| 4 | Two Rivers | $1,270 |
| 5 | Wisconsin Rapids | $1,290 |
| 6 | Watertown | $1,307 |
| 7 | Whitefish Bay | $1,313 |
| 8 | Saint Francis | $1,320 |
| 9 | Oshkosh | $1,325 |
| 10 | Plover | $1,340 |
| 11 | Saukville | $1,340 |
| 12 | Wausau | $1,380 |
| 13 | Green Bay | $1,397 |
| 14 | Tomah | $1,400 |
| 15 | Cudahy | $1,410 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Wisconsin
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brookfield | $2,340 |
| 2 | Hudson | $2,300 |
| 3 | Monona | $2,193 |
| 4 | Verona | $2,180 |
| 5 | Madison (this page) | $2,042 |
| 6 | Elm Grove | $2,010 |
| 7 | Oak Creek | $2,000 |
| 8 | Brown Deer | $2,000 |
| 9 | Kenosha | $1,983 |
| 10 | River Falls | $1,970 |
| 11 | New Richmond | $1,970 |
| 12 | Menomonie | $1,970 |
| 13 | Middleton | $1,950 |
| 14 | Sun Prairie | $1,930 |
| 15 | Shorewood | $1,900 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Madison.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Madison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monona, WI | 3.5 mi | $2,193 | +$151 (+7%) |
| Fitchburg, WI | 5.5 mi | $1,518 | $-524 (-26%) |
| Middleton, WI | 11.4 mi | $1,950 | $-92 (-5%) |
| De Forest, WI | 13 mi | $1,880 | $-162 (-8%) |
| Verona, WI | 14.7 mi | $2,180 | +$138 (+7%) |
| Sun Prairie, WI | 15.2 mi | $1,930 | $-112 (-5%) |
| Janesville, WI | 32.4 mi | $1,510 | $-532 (-26%) |
| Baraboo, WI | 37.6 mi | $1,440 | $-602 (-29%) |
| Beloit, WI | 40.9 mi | $1,470 | $-572 (-28%) |
| Beaver Dam, WI | 44.9 mi | $1,480 | $-562 (-28%) |
| Watertown, WI | 46.3 mi | $1,307 | $-735 (-36%) |
| Rockford, IL | 57.9 mi | $1,496 | $-546 (-27%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Madison — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Madison?
As of August 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Madison, Wisconsin is $2,042 per month. This is +26% higher than the citywide median of $1,621.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Madison?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $81,680 ($6,807/month gross), which works out to roughly $39.27/hour at a full-time job.
Is Madison expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Madison's 3-bedroom median of $2,042 is +4% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 46th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Madison rank for 3-bedroom rent in Wisconsin?
Among the 62 cities in Wisconsin with 3-bedroom data, Madison ranks #58 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Madison?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Fitchburg ($1,518), Middleton ($1,950), De Forest ($1,880).