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City Report · WI

Onalaska

Pop. 19,348·31st most expensive in Wisconsin·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,406/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.5%
Month-over-Month
-0.4%
vs US Median
-$556
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Onalaska · $1,406
More affordable than 81% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,406/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$56,000/yr
Local median income
$85,867/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Onalaska's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$880
1 BR
$980
2 BR
$1,290
3 BR
$1,700
4 BR+
$2,140
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,290/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,406 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
$16,872/yr
At $1,406/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (4.5% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.5% YoY, -0.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
19,348
Median income
$85,867
Median age
40.7
Renters
36.9%
Age distribution
19.4%
24.1%
22.5%
13.7%
20.4%
Under 1819.4%
18–3424.1%
35–5422.5%
55–6413.7%
65+20.4%
Gender
47.7%
52.3%
Male47.7%
Female52.3%
Race & ethnicity
85.8%
White85.8%
Black2.7%
Hispanic2.6%
Asian5.3%
Other3.6%
Education (25+)
19.4%
37.3%
41.7%
No HS diploma1.7%
HS diploma19.4%
Some college37.3%
Bachelor's+41.7%
Housing tenure
63.1%
36.9%
Owner63.1%
Renter36.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Onalaska, WI has changed in 5 years

Income
$71,760 → $85,867
up 19.7%
Population
18,760 → 19,348
up 3.1%
Renter share
36.9% → 36.9%
+0.0 pts
Bachelor's+
39% → 41.7%
+2.7 pts
Median age
39.6 → 40.7
+1.1 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about Onalaska

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

Can you afford rent in Onalaska on your salary?

At $1,406/mo, how Onalaska rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Onalaska rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Onalaska

About renting in Onalaska, WI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Onalaska is $1,406/mo as of August 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 20% of local median household income ($85,867/yr), Onalaska ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Onalaska an affordable city for renters?

Onalaska is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,406/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($85,867/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Onalaska falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Onalaska?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,406/mo in Onalaska. The local median household income is $85,867/yr, meaning the typical Onalaska household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Onalaska?

Rent in Onalaska has increased 4.5% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Onalaska rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

Onalaska is middle-of-the-pack for Wisconsin for rent, ranking #31 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,406/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Onalaska?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Onalaska ($1,406/mo): La Crosse ($1,089/mo), Eau Claire ($1,127/mo), Winona ($1,171/mo).

What percentage of Onalaska residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 36.9% of Onalaska households are renters, while 63.1% are owner-occupied. Onalaska leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Onalaska rent compare to the national average?

Onalaska's median rent of $1,406/mo is $556 (28%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Wisconsin, it ranks #31 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,406/mo, rent takes ~20% of Onalaska's median household income ($85,867/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Onalaska 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.5–7.65%
Run the Onalaska affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Onalaska, WI

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