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City Report · WI

Menasha

Pop. 18,273·45th most expensive in Wisconsin·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,215/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.7%
Month-over-Month
+3.8%
vs US Median
-$747
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Menasha · $1,215
More affordable than 92% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,215/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$49,000/yr
Local median income
$64,698/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Menasha's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$770
1 BR
$810
2 BR
$1,050
3 BR
$1,410
4 BR+
$1,550
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,050/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,215 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$14,580/yr
At $1,215/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 1.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.7% YoY, +3.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Menasha, WI is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 25.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
18,273
Median income
$64,698
Median age
37.6
Renters
35.7%
Age distribution
23.5%
22.7%
25.6%
14%
14.1%
Under 1823.5%
18–3422.7%
35–5425.6%
55–6414%
65+14.1%
Gender
49.4%
50.6%
Male49.4%
Female50.6%
Race & ethnicity
81%
12.3%
White81%
Black1.6%
Hispanic12.3%
Asian2.9%
Other2.1%
Education (25+)
29.5%
38.1%
25.8%
No HS diploma6.6%
HS diploma29.5%
Some college38.1%
Bachelor's+25.8%
Housing tenure
64.3%
35.7%
Owner64.3%
Renter35.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Menasha, WI has changed in 5 years

Income
$58,182 → $64,698
up 11.2%
Population
18,157 → 18,273
up 0.6%
Renter share
37.2% → 35.7%
-1.5 pts
Bachelor's+
23.4% → 25.8%
+2.4 pts

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $58,182 in 2021 to $64,698 more recently. About 35.7% of households rent today, against 37.2% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 23.4% to 25.8%.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Menasha on your salary?

At $1,215/mo, how Menasha rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Menasha rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Menasha

About renting in Menasha, WI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Menasha is $1,215/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $770/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,050/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $810/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,410/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($64,698/yr), Menasha ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Menasha an affordable city for renters?

Menasha is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,215/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($64,698/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Menasha falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Menasha?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $49,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,215/mo in Menasha. The local median household income is $64,698/yr, meaning the typical Menasha household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Menasha?

Rent in Menasha has increased 1.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Menasha rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

Menasha is one of the more affordable cities in Wisconsin for rent, ranking #45 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,215/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Menasha?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Menasha ($1,215/mo): Neenah ($1,020/mo), Kaukauna ($1,116/mo), Appleton ($1,195/mo).

What percentage of Menasha residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35.7% of Menasha households are renters, while 64.3% are owner-occupied. Menasha leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Menasha rent compare to the national average?

Menasha's median rent of $1,215/mo is $747 (38%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Wisconsin, it ranks #45 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,215/mo, rent takes ~23% of Menasha's median household income ($64,698/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Menasha 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.5–7.65%
Run the Menasha affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Menasha, WI

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