At $1,394/mo, rent takes about 19% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,394 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Onalaska changed +2.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 42 Wisconsin cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +5.3%.
Rent rose in 5 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($85,867) is $2,147 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,140).
Winona, MN, 21 miles away, rents for 24% less ($1,065/mo), about $3,900 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Onalaska. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Onalaska, WI is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 41.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Onalaska, WI has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $71,760 in 2021 to $85,867 more recently. The population has grown by 3.1% since 2021, moving from about 18,760 residents to roughly 19,348. College-educated residents now make up 41.7% of adults here, versus 39% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Onalaska on your salary?
At $1,394/mo, how Onalaska rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Onalaska rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Onalaska. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Onalaska
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Onalaska is $1,394/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $880/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,290/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $980/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,700/mo.
At 19% of local median household income ($85,867/yr), Onalaska ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Onalaska?
Is rent going up or down in Onalaska?
How does Onalaska rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Onalaska?
At $1,394/mo, rent takes ~19% of Onalaska's median household income ($85,867/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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