City Report · WI

Sun Prairie

Pop. 37,570·20th most expensive in Wisconsin·Rental market data updated monthly for Sun Prairie, WI
Median rent (all units)
$1,642/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.0%
Month-over-Month
-0.9%
vs US Median
-$323
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Sun Prairie · $1,642
More affordable than 66% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
57/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% below what Sun Prairie's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,642/mo
Expected by trend
$1,699/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Sun Prairie's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,080
1 BR
$1,280
2 BR
$1,470
3 BR
$1,930
4 BR+
$2,160
Research median
$1,470/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$19,704/yr
At $1,642/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (5.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.0% YoY, -0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Sun Prairie, WI is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 50.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
37,570
Median income
$90,942
Median age
36.7
Renters
39.2%
Age distribution
25.5%
21.6%
27.6%
14.2%
Under 1825.5%
18–3421.6%
35–5427.6%
55–6411.2%
65+14.2%
Gender
48.6%
51.4%
Male48.6%
Female51.4%
Race & ethnicity
74.2%
White74.2%
Black8.8%
Hispanic4.7%
Asian8.7%
Other3.6%
Education (25+)
20%
26.4%
50.9%
No HS diploma2.7%
HS diploma20%
Some college26.4%
Bachelor's+50.9%
Housing tenure
60.8%
39.2%
Owner60.8%
Renter39.2%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Sun Prairie, WI has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,316 → $1,642
up 24.8%
Income
$83,409 → $90,942
up 9.0%
Population
35,528 → 37,570
up 5.7%
Renter share
37.2% → 39.2%
+2.0 pts
Bachelor's+
49.6% → 50.9%
+1.3 pts
Median age
37.6 → 36.7
-0.9 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Sun Prairie, WI paid around $1,316 a month. That figure now sits near $1,642, up 24.8% from the 2022 baseline. Household income in the area moved from $83,409 to $90,942 across the same window, up 9.0% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Sun Prairie, WI adding about 2,042 residents over the five-year window, up 5.7% on net. The renter share has risen from 37.2% to 39.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Sun Prairie, WI look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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View Sun Prairie rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Sun Prairie on your salary?

At $1,642/mo, how Sun Prairie rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Sun Prairie rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Sun Prairie

About renting in Sun Prairie, WI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Sun Prairie is $1,642/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,080/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,470/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,280/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,930/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($90,942/yr), Sun Prairie ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Sun Prairie an affordable city for renters?

Sun Prairie is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,642/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($90,942/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Sun Prairie falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Sun Prairie?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $66,000/year (~$32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,642/mo in Sun Prairie. The local median household income is $90,942/yr, meaning the typical Sun Prairie household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Sun Prairie?

Rent in Sun Prairie has increased 5.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Sun Prairie rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

Sun Prairie is one of the pricier cities in Wisconsin for rent, ranking #20 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,642/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sun Prairie?

Middleton is nearby and more affordable at $1,601/mo, which is $41 less than Sun Prairie.

What percentage of Sun Prairie residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.2% of Sun Prairie households are renters, while 60.8% are owner-occupied. Sun Prairie leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Sun Prairie rent compare to the national average?

Sun Prairie's median rent of $1,642/mo is $323 (16%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Wisconsin, it ranks #20 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,642/mo, rent takes ~22% of Sun Prairie's median household income ($90,942/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Sun Prairie 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.5–7.65%
Run the Sun Prairie affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Sun Prairie
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Sun Prairie, WI

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