RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · WI

Oak Creek

Pop. 37,325·9th most expensive in Wisconsin·Rental market data updated monthly for Oak Creek, WI
Median rent (all units)
$1,776/mo
Year-over-Year
-0.3%
Month-over-Month
+5.6%
vs US Median
-$186
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Oak Creek rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Oak Creek · $1,776
More affordable than 56% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,776/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$71,000/yr
Local median income
$96,555/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Oak Creek's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,200
1 BR
$1,350
2 BR
$1,610
3 BR
$2,000
4 BR+
$2,180
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,610/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,776 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

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$21,312/yr
At $1,776/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-0.3% YoY, +5.6% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Oak Creek, WI is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 39.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
37,325
Median income
$96,555
Median age
39.4
Renters
42.5%
Age distribution
21.1%
23.1%
25.5%
15.2%
15.1%
Under 1821.1%
18–3423.1%
35–5425.5%
55–6415.2%
65+15.1%
Gender
50.2%
49.8%
Male50.2%
Female49.8%
Race & ethnicity
75.7%
12.2%
White75.7%
Black4.6%
Hispanic12.2%
Asian6.1%
Other1.5%
Education (25+)
26.1%
29.6%
39.4%
No HS diploma4.9%
HS diploma26.1%
Some college29.6%
Bachelor's+39.4%
Housing tenure
57.5%
42.5%
Owner57.5%
Renter42.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Oak Creek, WI has changed in 5 years

Income
$80,817 → $96,555
up 19.5%
Population
36,266 → 37,325
up 2.9%
Renter share
39.8% → 42.5%
+2.7 pts
Bachelor's+
37.2% → 39.4%
+2.2 pts

Census figures show median household income at $96,555 today, compared with $80,817 five years earlier. Census counts show Oak Creek, WI adding about 1,059 residents over the five-year window, up 2.9% on net. The renter share has risen from 39.8% to 42.5%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 37.2% to 39.4% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Oak Creek

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Oak Creek rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Oak Creek on your salary?

At $1,776/mo, how Oak Creek rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Oak Creek rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Oak Creek

About renting in Oak Creek, WI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Oak Creek is $1,776/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,200/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,610/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,350/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,000/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($96,555/yr), Oak Creek ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Oak Creek an affordable city for renters?

Oak Creek is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,776/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($96,555/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Oak Creek falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Oak Creek?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $71,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,776/mo in Oak Creek. The local median household income is $96,555/yr, meaning the typical Oak Creek household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Oak Creek?

Rent in Oak Creek has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.3% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Oak Creek rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

Oak Creek is one of the pricier cities in Wisconsin for rent, ranking #9 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,776/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Oak Creek?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Oak Creek ($1,776/mo): South Milwaukee ($1,154/mo), Cudahy ($1,332/mo), Greenfield ($1,575/mo).

What percentage of Oak Creek residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.5% of Oak Creek households are renters, while 57.5% are owner-occupied. Oak Creek leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Oak Creek rent compare to the national average?

Oak Creek's median rent of $1,776/mo is $186 (9%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Wisconsin, it ranks #9 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,776/mo, rent takes ~22% of Oak Creek's median household income ($96,555/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Oak Creek 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.5–7.65%
Run the Oak Creek affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Oak Creek
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 Oak Creek, WI

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Oak Creek.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google