City Report · WI

Monona

Pop. 8,527·11th most expensive in Wisconsin·Rental market data updated monthly for Monona, WI
Median rent (all units)
$1,750/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-5.7%
vs US Median
-$215
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Monona rents
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Monona · $1,750
More affordable than 57% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
24% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,750/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$70,000/yr
Local median income
$87,773/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Monona's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,565
1 BR
$986
2 BR
$1,402
3 BR
$2,193
Research median
$1,402/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$21,000/yr
At $1,750/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -5.7% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Monona, WI is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, 58.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
8,527
Median income
$87,773
Median age
43.7
Renters
46.4%
Age distribution
19.1%
18.5%
26%
14.6%
21.9%
Under 1819.1%
18–3418.5%
35–5426%
55–6414.6%
65+21.9%
Gender
48.4%
51.6%
Male48.4%
Female51.6%
Race & ethnicity
87.1%
White87.1%
Black3.4%
Hispanic2.6%
Asian2.9%
Other4%
Education (25+)
19.1%
20.2%
58.3%
No HS diploma2.4%
HS diploma19.1%
Some college20.2%
Bachelor's+58.3%
Housing tenure
53.6%
46.4%
Owner53.6%
Renter46.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Monona, WI has changed in 5 years

Income
$82,579 → $87,773
up 6.3%
Population
8,560 → 8,527
down 0.4%
Renter share
42.3% → 46.4%
+4.1 pts
Bachelor's+
53.6% → 58.3%
+4.7 pts
Median age
45.7 → 43.7
-2.0 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Monona, WI now reports about $87,773, up from $82,579 in 2021. Renters now make up 46.4% of households, compared with 42.3% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 58.3% of adults here, versus 53.6% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Monona

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Monona on your salary?

At $1,750/mo, how Monona rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Monona rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Monona

About renting in Monona, WI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Monona is $1,750/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,565/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,402/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $986/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,193/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($87,773/yr), Monona ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Monona an affordable city for renters?

Monona is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,750/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($87,773/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Monona falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Monona?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $70,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,750/mo in Monona. The local median household income is $87,773/yr, meaning the typical Monona household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Monona?

Rent in Monona has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Monona rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

Monona is one of the pricier cities in Wisconsin for rent, ranking #11 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,750/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Monona?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Monona ($1,750/mo): Middleton ($1,601/mo), Sun Prairie ($1,642/mo), Madison ($1,656/mo).

What percentage of Monona residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.4% of Monona households are renters, while 53.6% are owner-occupied. Monona leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Monona rent compare to the national average?

Monona's median rent of $1,750/mo is $215 (11%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Wisconsin, it ranks #11 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,750/mo, rent takes ~24% of Monona's median household income ($87,773/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Monona 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.5–7.65%
Run the Monona affordability calculator →
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Monona, WI

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Monona.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.