Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Madison, WI?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.2% of gross income.
Madison rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin state estimate).
About rent and a real estate agent salary
Real estate agent pay is commission-driven and varies widely with local market conditions. The BLS mean averages high and low producers. At the national-average agent salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,640 a month in rent — though successful agents in active markets earn well above this.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Madison, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:
Compare with full rent data for Madison
View full rent data for Madison, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a real estate agent afford rent in Madison, WI?
Median rent in Madison is $1,621 a month. A typical real estate agent in Wisconsin earns about $62,301 a year, which makes that rent 31.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a real estate agent afford in Madison?
Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in Wisconsin (~$62,301/yr) supports up to $1,558 a month in rent. Madison's current median rent is $1,621/mo, which is $63/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Madison?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a real estate agent in Wisconsin works roughly 54.1 hours a month to cover Madison's median rent of $1,621.
Where is rent cheaper than Madison for a real estate agent?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include River Falls ($1,619/mo), Brown Deer ($1,618/mo), Kenosha ($1,618/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.