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City Report · WI

Wisconsin Rapids

Pop. 18,722·55th most expensive in Wisconsin·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,095/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.0%
Month-over-Month
+3.9%
vs US Median
-$870
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Wisconsin Rapids · $1,095
More affordable than 95% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
24% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,095/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$44,000/yr
Local median income
$55,253/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Wisconsin Rapids's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$715
1 BR
$770
2 BR
$1,010
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR+
$1,340
Research median
$1,010/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
$13,140/yr
At $1,095/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.0% YoY, +3.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Wisconsin Rapids, WI is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 18.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
18,722
Median income
$55,253
Median age
38.3
Renters
43.9%
Age distribution
23.4%
22.2%
22.5%
12.4%
19.6%
Under 1823.4%
18–3422.2%
35–5422.5%
55–6412.4%
65+19.6%
Gender
47.4%
52.6%
Male47.4%
Female52.6%
Race & ethnicity
90.1%
White90.1%
Black0.8%
Hispanic3.6%
Asian2.3%
Other3.1%
Education (25+)
38.8%
37.6%
18.1%
No HS diploma5.4%
HS diploma38.8%
Some college37.6%
Bachelor's+18.1%
Housing tenure
56.1%
43.9%
Owner56.1%
Renter43.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Wisconsin Rapids, WI has changed in 5 years

Income
$46,644 → $55,253
up 18.5%
Population
18,711 → 18,722
up 0.1%
Renter share
46.1% → 43.9%
-2.2 pts
Bachelor's+
14.7% → 18.1%
+3.4 pts

Census figures show median household income at $55,253 today, compared with $46,644 five years earlier. About 43.9% of households rent today, against 46.1% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 14.7% to 18.1%.

Community

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View Wisconsin Rapids rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Wisconsin Rapids on your salary?

At $1,095/mo, how Wisconsin Rapids rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Wisconsin Rapids rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Wisconsin Rapids

About renting in Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Wisconsin Rapids is $1,095/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $715/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,010/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $770/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,290/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($55,253/yr), Wisconsin Rapids ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Wisconsin Rapids an affordable city for renters?

Wisconsin Rapids is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,095/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($55,253/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Wisconsin Rapids falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Wisconsin Rapids?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $44,000/year (~$21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,095/mo in Wisconsin Rapids. The local median household income is $55,253/yr, meaning the typical Wisconsin Rapids household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Wisconsin Rapids?

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

Which Wisconsin Rapids neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Wisconsin Rapids are 54495 ($970/mo), and 54494 ($1,131/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Wisconsin Rapids is $1,095/mo.

How does Wisconsin Rapids rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin Rapids is one of the more affordable cities in Wisconsin for rent, ranking #55 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,095/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wisconsin Rapids?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Wisconsin Rapids ($1,095/mo): Marshfield ($1,040/mo), Weston ($1,045/mo), Wausau ($1,050/mo).

What percentage of Wisconsin Rapids residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.9% of Wisconsin Rapids households are renters, while 56.1% are owner-occupied. Wisconsin Rapids leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Wisconsin Rapids rent compare to the national average?

Wisconsin Rapids's median rent of $1,095/mo is $870 (44%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Wisconsin, it ranks #55 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,095/mo, rent takes ~24% of Wisconsin Rapids's median household income ($55,253/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Wisconsin Rapids 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.5–7.65%
Run the Wisconsin Rapids affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Wisconsin Rapids
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Wisconsin Rapids, WI

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