RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · WI

West Bend

Pop. 32,030·32nd most expensive in Wisconsin·West Bend rents are up 29.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,398/mo
Year-over-Year
+29.0%
Month-over-Month
-1.9%
vs US Median
-$564
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss West Bend rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
West Bend · $1,398
More affordable than 82% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,398/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$56,000/yr
Local median income
$74,076/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using West Bend's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$860
1 BR
$970
2 BR
$1,150
3 BR
$1,430
4 BR+
$1,560
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,150/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,398 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

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$16,776/yr
At $1,398/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 29.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+29.0% YoY, -1.9% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

West Bend, WI is majority owner-occupied, 28.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
32,030
Median income
$74,076
Median age
41
Renters
34.2%
Age distribution
21.6%
20.5%
25%
13.6%
19.3%
Under 1821.6%
18–3420.5%
35–5425%
55–6413.6%
65+19.3%
Gender
48.3%
51.7%
Male48.3%
Female51.7%
Race & ethnicity
89.3%
White89.3%
Black1.9%
Hispanic4.6%
Asian0.9%
Other3.2%
Education (25+)
30.2%
36.5%
28.6%
No HS diploma4.8%
HS diploma30.2%
Some college36.5%
Bachelor's+28.6%
Housing tenure
65.8%
34.2%
Owner65.8%
Renter34.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How West Bend, WI has changed in 5 years

Income
$66,980 → $74,076
up 10.6%
Population
31,639 → 32,030
up 1.2%
Renter share
34.1% → 34.2%
+0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
29% → 28.6%
-0.4 pts
Median age
39.8 → 41
+1.2 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in West Bend, WI now reports about $74,076, up from $66,980 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 31,639 to 32,030 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.2% change.

Community

Discussions about West Bend

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View West Bend rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in West Bend on your salary?

At $1,398/mo, how West Bend rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

West Bend rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in West Bend

About renting in West Bend, WI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in West Bend is $1,398/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $860/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,150/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $970/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,430/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($74,076/yr), West Bend ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 29.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is West Bend an affordable city for renters?

West Bend is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,398/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($74,076/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. West Bend falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in West Bend?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,398/mo in West Bend. The local median household income is $74,076/yr, meaning the typical West Bend household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in West Bend?

Rent in West Bend has increased 29.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does West Bend rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

West Bend is middle-of-the-pack for Wisconsin for rent, ranking #32 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,398/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than West Bend?

Hartford is nearby and more affordable at $1,050/mo, which is $348 less than West Bend.

What percentage of West Bend residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.2% of West Bend households are renters, while 65.8% are owner-occupied. West Bend leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does West Bend rent compare to the national average?

West Bend's median rent of $1,398/mo is $564 (29%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Wisconsin, it ranks #32 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,398/mo, rent takes ~23% of West Bend's median household income ($74,076/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

West Bend 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.5–7.65%
Run the West Bend affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in West Bend
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near West Bend, WI

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for West Bend.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google