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City Report · WI

River Falls

Pop. 16,719·28th most expensive in Wisconsin·River Falls rents have dropped 7.0%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,490/mo
Year-over-Year
-7.0%
Month-over-Month
-1.5%
vs US Median
-$472
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
River Falls · $1,490
More affordable than 76% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
21% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,490/mo, rent takes about 21% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$60,000/yr
Local median income
$83,627/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using River Falls's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,060
1 BR
$1,200
2 BR
$1,460
3 BR
$1,970
4 BR+
$2,240
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,460/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,490 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
$17,880/yr
At $1,490/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 7.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-7.0% YoY, -1.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

River Falls, WI is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 44.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
16,719
Median income
$83,627
Median age
28.6
Renters
44.9%
Age distribution
17.3%
40.2%
21.7%
Under 1817.3%
18–3440.2%
35–5421.7%
55–649.2%
65+11.6%
Gender
47.8%
52.2%
Male47.8%
Female52.2%
Race & ethnicity
93.5%
White93.5%
Hispanic2%
Asian1.2%
Other3.2%
Education (25+)
21%
32.7%
44.9%
No HS diploma1.5%
HS diploma21%
Some college32.7%
Bachelor's+44.9%
Housing tenure
55.1%
44.9%
Owner55.1%
Renter44.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How River Falls, WI has changed in 5 years

Income
$67,158 → $83,627
up 24.5%
Population
16,058 → 16,719
up 4.1%
Renter share
43.7% → 44.9%
+1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
41.3% → 44.9%
+3.6 pts
Median age
26.8 → 28.6
+1.8 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $67,158 in 2021 to $83,627 more recently. The population has grown by 4.1% since 2021, moving from about 16,058 residents to roughly 16,719. College-educated residents now make up 44.9% of adults here, versus 41.3% in 2021.

Community

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View River Falls rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in River Falls on your salary?

At $1,490/mo, how River Falls rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

River Falls rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in River Falls

About renting in River Falls, WI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in River Falls is $1,490/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,060/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,460/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,200/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,970/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($83,627/yr), River Falls ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 7.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is River Falls an affordable city for renters?

River Falls is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,490/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($83,627/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. River Falls falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in River Falls?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $60,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,490/mo in River Falls. The local median household income is $83,627/yr, meaning the typical River Falls household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in River Falls?

Rent in River Falls has decreased 7.0% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does River Falls rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

River Falls is middle-of-the-pack for Wisconsin for rent, ranking #28 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,490/mo.

What percentage of River Falls residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44.9% of River Falls households are renters, while 55.1% are owner-occupied. River Falls leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does River Falls rent compare to the national average?

River Falls's median rent of $1,490/mo is $472 (24%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Wisconsin, it ranks #28 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,490/mo, rent takes ~21% of River Falls's median household income ($83,627/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

River Falls 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.5–7.65%
Run the River Falls affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near River Falls, WI

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