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City Report · WI

Whitefish Bay

Pop. 14,665·1st most expensive in Wisconsin·Rental market data updated monthly for Whitefish Bay, WI
Median rent (all units)
$2,390/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-2.9%
vs US Median
+$425
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Whitefish Bay · $2,390
More expensive than 76% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
18% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,390/mo, rent takes about 18% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$96,000/yr
Local median income
$157,109/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Whitefish Bay's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

1 BR
$1,186
2 BR
$1,426
3 BR
$1,313
Research median
$1,426/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
$28,680/yr
At $2,390/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -2.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Whitefish Bay, WI is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 81.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
14,665
Median income
$157,109
Median age
40.5
Renters
16.9%
Age distribution
31%
29.2%
13.8%
14.4%
Under 1831%
18–3411.7%
35–5429.2%
55–6413.8%
65+14.4%
Gender
49.7%
50.3%
Male49.7%
Female50.3%
Race & ethnicity
84.4%
White84.4%
Black2.4%
Hispanic5.2%
Asian4.6%
Other3.3%
Education (25+)
81.9%
No HS diploma1.1%
HS diploma5.7%
Some college11.4%
Bachelor's+81.9%
Housing tenure
83.1%
16.9%
Owner83.1%
Renter16.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Whitefish Bay, WI has changed in 5 years

Income
$134,324 → $157,109
up 17.0%
Population
14,818 → 14,665
down 1.0%
Renter share
18.1% → 16.9%
-1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
81.3% → 81.9%
+0.6 pts
Median age
39.8 → 40.5
+0.7 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $134,324 to $157,109 across the same window, up 17.0% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 14,818 to 14,665 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.0% change.

Community

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View Whitefish Bay rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Whitefish Bay on your salary?

At $2,390/mo, how Whitefish Bay rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Whitefish Bay rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Whitefish Bay

About renting in Whitefish Bay, WI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Whitefish Bay is $2,390/mo as of July 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $1,426/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,186/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,313/mo.

At 18% of local median household income ($157,109/yr), Whitefish Bay ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Whitefish Bay an affordable city for renters?

Whitefish Bay is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,390/mo, rent takes approximately 18% of the local median household income ($157,109/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Whitefish Bay falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Whitefish Bay?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $96,000/year (~$46/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,390/mo in Whitefish Bay. The local median household income is $157,109/yr, meaning the typical Whitefish Bay household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Whitefish Bay?

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

How does Whitefish Bay rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

Whitefish Bay is one of the pricier cities in Wisconsin for rent, ranking #1 out of 62 tracked cities at $2,390/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Whitefish Bay?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Whitefish Bay ($2,390/mo): Shorewood ($1,356/mo), Milwaukee ($1,469/mo), Brown Deer ($1,618/mo).

What percentage of Whitefish Bay residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 16.9% of Whitefish Bay households are renters, while 83.1% are owner-occupied. Whitefish Bay leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Whitefish Bay rent compare to the national average?

Whitefish Bay's median rent of $2,390/mo is $425 (22%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Wisconsin, it ranks #1 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
18%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,390/mo, rent takes ~18% of Whitefish Bay's median household income ($157,109/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Whitefish Bay 18%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.5–7.65%
Run the Whitefish Bay affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Whitefish Bay, WI

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