ZIP Code · WI

ZIP 53216

Part of Milwaukee, WI

Pop. 30,345·Milwaukee County·70th most expensive ZIP in Wisconsin

Median rent (all units)

$1,268/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.0%

Month-over-Month

+1.1%

vs US Median

-$664

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 53216 · $1,268

More affordable than 88% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$870

1 BR

$960

2 BR

$1,140

3 BR

$1,410

4 BR+

$1,540

Research median

$1,140/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

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 53216 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of Wisconsin

Rent in ZIP 53216 changed +7.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 71 Wisconsin ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +5.6%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 11 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($46,752) is $1,169 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,140); a 3-bedroom is $1,410.

Rank in Milwaukee

7th cheapest of 19 ZIP codes in Milwaukee.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 53206, 2 miles away, rents for 22% less ($994/mo), about $3,300 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 53216. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$15,216/yr

At $1,268/mo median

Location

CityMilwaukee

StateWI

CountyMilwaukee County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 7.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+7.0% YoY, +1.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 53216 (Milwaukee, WI) is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 17.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

30,345

Median income

$46,752

Median age

33.2

Renters

52.7%

Age distribution

29.4%

22.5%

23%

12.2%

12.9%

Under 1829.4%

18–3422.5%

35–5423%

55–6412.2%

65+12.9%

Gender

43.5%

56.5%

Male43.5%

Female56.5%

Race & ethnicity

78.5%

White10.7%

Black78.5%

Hispanic5.2%

Asian4.3%

Other1.4%

Education (25+)

14.3%

33.2%

35.1%

17.4%

No HS diploma14.3%

HS diploma33.2%

Some college35.1%

Bachelor's+17.4%

Housing tenure

47.3%

52.7%

Owner47.3%

Renter52.7%

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

2022 vs 2026

How ZIP 53216 in Milwaukee, WI has changed in 5 years

Rent

$906 → $1,268

up 40.0%

Income

$35,829 → $46,752

up 30.5%

Population

31,398 → 30,345

down 3.4%

Renter share

56.2% → 52.7%

-3.5 pts

Bachelor's+

16.2% → 17.4%

+1.2 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in ZIP 53216 in Milwaukee, WI has shifted from $906 to $1,268, up 40.0% since 2022. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 53216 in Milwaukee, WI now reports about $46,752, up from $35,829 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show ZIP 53216 in Milwaukee, WI losing about 1,053 residents over the five-year window, down 3.4% on net. The renter share has eased from 56.2% to 52.7%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 53216 in Milwaukee, WI reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 53216

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 53216 covers Milwaukee, WI. The median rent here is $1,268/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $960/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,140/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($46,752/yr), ZIP 53216 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 53216?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (about $25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,268/mo in ZIP 53216. The local median household income is $46,752/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 53216?

Rent in ZIP 53216 has risen 7.0% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2022.

How does ZIP 53216 compare to other ZIPs in Wisconsin?

ZIP 53216 is one of the more affordable among Wisconsin ZIP codes for rent, ranking #70 of 103 at $1,268/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 53216 changed +7.0%, against a typical +5.6% across the 71 Wisconsin ZIP codes Zillow tracks.