At $1,182/mo, rent takes about 20% 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 $1,182 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
30% of the median household income ($70,107) is $1,753 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,563).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Watertown. 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
Watertown, WI is majority owner-occupied, 18.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Watertown, WI has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Watertown on your salary?
At $1,182/mo, how Watertown rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Watertown rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Watertown. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Watertown
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Watertown is $1,182/mo as of October 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.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Watertown?
How does Watertown rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?
At $1,182/mo, rent takes ~20% of Watertown's median household income ($70,107/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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