Most rent-burdened cities in Wisconsin
Cities in Wisconsin ranked by highest rent as a percentage of median household income. Cities with 15,000+ residents.
Key findings
- Milwaukee ranks first, with rent at 31.9% of median household income.
- Across all 41 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,394/mo.
Data as of September 2026. Twelve months of median rent as a share of Census median household income (5-year estimates). Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)
Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordableMost expensiveRent fallingRent risingBest rent/incomeMost rent-burdenedRecord-high rentSeasonal swingsRent vs. income
41 cities
| Rank | City | Rent/income | Median rent | Income | Vs. a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | MilwaukeeWI | 31.9% | $1,443/mo | $54,234 | same |
| 02 | La CrosseWI | 28.9% | $1,346/mo | $55,866 | ↑3 from #5 |
| 03 | Stevens PointWI | 28.8% | $1,393/mo | $58,031 | ↓1 from #2 |
| 04 | MenomonieWI | 28.7% | $1,359/mo | $56,889 | ↓1 from #3 |
| 05 | MadisonWI | 28.2% | $1,837/mo | $78,050 | ↓1 from #4 |
| 06 | KenoshaWI | 27.4% | $1,627/mo | $71,239 | same |
| 07 | MenashaWI | 27.0% | $1,457/mo | $64,698 | ↑1 from #8 |
| 08 | BeloitWI | 26.7% | $1,394/mo | $62,663 | ↓1 from #7 |
| 09 | CudahyWI | 26.3% | $1,464/mo | $66,719 | -- |
| 10 | West AllisWI | 25.6% | $1,445/mo | $67,611 | same |
| 11 | River FallsWI | 25.4% | $1,771/mo | $83,627 | ↓2 from #9 |
| 12 | RacineWI | 25.3% | $1,215/mo | $57,740 | ↓1 from #11 |
| 13 | Beaver DamWI | 24.6% | $1,369/mo | $66,673 | -- |
| 14 | OshkoshWI | 24.0% | $1,243/mo | $62,188 | ↓2 from #12 |
| 15 | MarshfieldWI | 23.9% | $1,164/mo | $58,407 | -- |
| 16 | Fond du LacWI | 23.1% | $1,196/mo | $62,260 | ↓1 from #15 |
| 17 | FitchburgWI | 23.0% | $1,661/mo | $86,516 | ↓4 from #13 |
| 18 | Wisconsin RapidsWI | 22.6% | $1,041/mo | $55,253 | ↓1 from #17 |
| 19 | Oak CreekWI | 22.6% | $1,816/mo | $96,555 | ↓3 from #16 |
| 20 | Mount PleasantWI | 22.5% | $1,718/mo | $91,616 | ↓6 from #14 |
| 21 | Sun PrairieWI | 21.6% | $1,636/mo | $90,942 | ↓1 from #20 |
| 22 | OconomowocWI | 21.3% | $1,891/mo | $106,425 | ↓3 from #19 |
| 23 | MiddletonWI | 21.2% | $1,584/mo | $89,524 | ↓5 from #18 |
| 24 | BrookfieldWI | 20.6% | $2,222/mo | $129,548 | ↓3 from #21 |
| 25 | WatertownWI | 20.2% | $1,182/mo | $70,107 | -- |
| 26 | VeronaWI | 20.0% | $1,992/mo | $119,606 | ↓3 from #23 |
| 27 | WauwatosaWI | 19.9% | $1,680/mo | $101,138 | ↓5 from #22 |
| 28 | Eau ClaireWI | 19.9% | $1,119/mo | $67,395 | ↓4 from #24 |
| 29 | De PereWI | 19.8% | $1,403/mo | $84,869 | -- |
| 30 | Green BayWI | 19.7% | $1,088/mo | $66,206 | ↓4 from #26 |
| 31 | FranklinWI | 19.5% | $1,737/mo | $106,894 | -- |
| 32 | OnalaskaWI | 19.5% | $1,394/mo | $85,867 | ↓7 from #25 |
| 33 | Menomonee FallsWI | 19.4% | $1,621/mo | $100,238 | -- |
| 34 | West BendWI | 19.1% | $1,177/mo | $74,076 | -- |
| 35 | JanesvilleWI | 19.0% | $1,165/mo | $73,446 | ↓7 from #28 |
| 36 | South MilwaukeeWI | 18.8% | $1,148/mo | $73,427 | ↓6 from #30 |
| 37 | NeenahWI | 18.7% | $1,175/mo | $75,374 | ↓10 from #27 |
| 38 | GermantownWI | 18.5% | $1,547/mo | $100,231 | -- |
| 39 | WausauWI | 17.8% | $954/mo | $64,389 | ↓10 from #29 |
| 40 | AppletonWI | 17.7% | $1,185/mo | $80,483 | ↓9 from #31 |
| 41 | BellevueWI | 14.5% | $1,026/mo | $84,672 | -- |