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City Report · WI

Watertown

Pop. 22,774·52nd most expensive in Wisconsin·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,166/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+1.5%
vs US Median
-$799
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Watertown · $1,166
More affordable than 93% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,166/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$47,000/yr
Local median income
$70,107/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Watertown's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

1 BR
$850
2 BR
$1,093
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR+
$1,563
Research median
$1,093/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
$13,992/yr
At $1,166/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +1.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Watertown, WI is majority owner-occupied, 18.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
22,774
Median income
$70,107
Median age
40.6
Renters
38%
Age distribution
22%
21.6%
23.3%
13.4%
19.6%
Under 1822%
18–3421.6%
35–5423.3%
55–6413.4%
65+19.6%
Gender
45.3%
54.7%
Male45.3%
Female54.7%
Race & ethnicity
86.9%
White86.9%
Hispanic9.5%
Other3%
Education (25+)
41%
32.8%
18.2%
No HS diploma8%
HS diploma41%
Some college32.8%
Bachelor's+18.2%
Housing tenure
62%
38%
Owner62%
Renter38%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Watertown, WI has changed in 5 years

Income
$59,111 → $70,107
up 18.6%
Population
23,030 → 22,774
down 1.1%
Renter share
40.4% → 38%
-2.4 pts
Bachelor's+
18.7% → 18.2%
-0.5 pts
Median age
39.4 → 40.6
+1.2 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Watertown, WI now reports about $70,107, up from $59,111 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 23,030 to 22,774 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.1% change. About 38% of households rent today, against 40.4% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Watertown

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

Can you afford rent in Watertown on your salary?

At $1,166/mo, how Watertown rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Watertown rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Watertown

About renting in Watertown, WI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Watertown is $1,166/mo as of July 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $1,093/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $850/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,307/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($70,107/yr), Watertown ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Watertown an affordable city for renters?

Watertown is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,166/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($70,107/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Watertown falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Watertown?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $47,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,166/mo in Watertown. The local median household income is $70,107/yr, meaning the typical Watertown household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Watertown?

Rent in Watertown has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Watertown rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

Watertown is one of the more affordable cities in Wisconsin for rent, ranking #52 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,166/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Watertown?

Hartford is nearby and more affordable at $1,050/mo, which is $116 less than Watertown.

What percentage of Watertown residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38% of Watertown households are renters, while 62% are owner-occupied. Watertown leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Watertown rent compare to the national average?

Watertown's median rent of $1,166/mo is $799 (41%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Wisconsin, it ranks #52 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,166/mo, rent takes ~20% of Watertown's median household income ($70,107/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Watertown, WI

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