At $1,148/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 $1,148 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 South Milwaukee changed +11.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 42 Wisconsin cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +5.3%.
Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($73,427) is $1,836 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,620).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for South Milwaukee. 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
South Milwaukee, WI is majority owner-occupied, 29.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How South Milwaukee, WI has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $73,427 today, compared with $61,046 five years earlier. Census counts show South Milwaukee, WI losing about 343 residents over the five-year window, down 1.7% on net. The renter share has eased from 37.4% to 33.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 25.3% to 29.9% across the same window.
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Can you afford rent in South Milwaukee on your salary?
At $1,148/mo, how South Milwaukee rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
South Milwaukee rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in South Milwaukee. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in South Milwaukee
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in South Milwaukee is $1,148/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $900/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,200/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,010/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,490/mo.
At 19% of local median household income ($73,427/yr), South Milwaukee ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in South Milwaukee?
Is rent going up or down in South Milwaukee?
How does South Milwaukee rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?
At $1,148/mo, rent takes ~19% of South Milwaukee's median household income ($73,427/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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