ZIP Code · WI

ZIP 53188

Part of Waukesha, WI

Pop. 34,892·Waukesha County·23rd most expensive ZIP in Wisconsin

Median rent (all units)

$1,657/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

+1.0%

vs US Median

-$275

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 53188 · $1,657

More affordable than 61% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,240

1 BR

$1,350

2 BR

$1,610

3 BR

$1,980

4 BR+

$2,150

Research median

$1,610/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($92,409) is $2,310 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,150).

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 53186, 4 miles away, rents for 17% less ($1,378/mo), about $3,300 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 53188. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$19,884/yr

At $1,657/mo median

Location

CityWaukesha

StateWI

CountyWaukesha County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +1.0% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 53188 (Waukesha, WI) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 43% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

34,892

Median income

$92,409

Median age

40.5

Renters

32.9%

Age distribution

20.6%

23.2%

23%

15.4%

17.8%

Under 1820.6%

18–3423.2%

35–5423%

55–6415.4%

65+17.8%

Gender

48.8%

51.2%

Male48.8%

Female51.2%

Race & ethnicity

82.9%

White82.9%

Black3%

Hispanic10.4%

Asian2.5%

Other1.3%

Education (25+)

20.2%

33.4%

43%

No HS diploma3.3%

HS diploma20.2%

Some college33.4%

Bachelor's+43%

Housing tenure

67.1%

32.9%

Owner67.1%

Renter32.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 53188 in Waukesha, WI has changed in 5 years

Income

$79,410 → $92,409

up 16.4%

Population

34,338 → 34,892

up 1.6%

Renter share

35.2% → 32.9%

-2.3 pts

Bachelor's+

43.2% → 43%

-0.2 pts

Median age

38.2 → 40.5

+2.3 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $79,410 to $92,409 across the same window, up 16.4% versus 2021. Census counts show ZIP 53188 in Waukesha, WI adding about 554 residents over the five-year window, up 1.6% on net. The renter share has eased from 35.2% to 32.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 53188

About renting in ZIP 53188

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 53188 covers Waukesha, WI. The median rent here is $1,657/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,350/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,610/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($92,409/yr), ZIP 53188 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 53188?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $66,000/year (about $32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,657/mo in ZIP 53188. The local median household income is $92,409/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.