1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Milwaukee, WI
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as of October 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $1,443 and +26% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Milwaukee
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 Milwaukee
Compare Milwaukee's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Wisconsin
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marshfield | $740 |
| 2 | Oshkosh | $760 |
| 3 | Stevens Point | $760 |
| 4 | Two Rivers | $760 |
| 5 | Wisconsin Rapids | $770 |
| 6 | Wausau | $805 |
| 7 | Menasha | $810 |
| 8 | Appleton | $823 |
| 9 | Superior | $830 |
| 10 | Green Bay | $840 |
| 11 | Beloit | $850 |
| 12 | Watertown | $850 |
| 13 | La Crosse | $860 |
| 14 | Plover | $860 |
| 15 | Mount Pleasant | $870 |
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 | $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? 4 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Milwaukee.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wauwatosa, WI | 4.4 mi | $1,165 | +$132 (+13%) |
| Glendale, WI | 4.5 mi | $964 | $-69 (-7%) |
| Brown Deer, WI | 7.4 mi | $1,124 | +$91 (+9%) |
| Saint Francis, WI | 9.1 mi | $890 | $-143 (-14%) |
| Cudahy, WI | 10.6 mi | $960 | $-73 (-7%) |
| Brookfield, WI | 11.4 mi | $1,590 | +$557 (+54%) |
| South Milwaukee, WI | 12.8 mi | $1,010 | $-23 (-2%) |
| Menomonee Falls, WI | 12.8 mi | $1,280 | +$247 (+24%) |
| Franklin, WI | 13.2 mi | $1,270 | +$237 (+23%) |
| Oak Creek, WI | 13.7 mi | $1,350 | +$317 (+31%) |
| Germantown, WI | 15.6 mi | $1,230 | +$197 (+19%) |
| Grafton, WI | 18.5 mi | $1,040 | +$7 (+1%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Milwaukee — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Milwaukee?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is $1,033 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $1,443.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Milwaukee?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $41,320 ($3,443/month gross), which works out to roughly $19.87/hour at a full-time job.
Is Milwaukee expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Milwaukee's 1-bedroom median of $1,033 is +26% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 23th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Milwaukee rank for 1-bedroom rent in Wisconsin?
Among the 56 cities in Wisconsin with 1-bedroom data, Milwaukee ranks #33 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Milwaukee?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Glendale ($964), Saint Francis ($890), Cudahy ($960).