ZIP Code · WI

ZIP 53226

Part of Wauwatosa, WI

Pop. 18,908·Milwaukee County·28th most expensive ZIP in Wisconsin

Median rent (all units)

$1,636/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.4%

Month-over-Month

+0.2%

vs US Median

-$296

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 53226 · $1,636

More affordable than 63% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,180

1 BR

$1,290

2 BR

$1,540

3 BR

$1,900

4 BR+

$2,050

Research median

$1,540/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

Past year vs. the rest of Wisconsin

Rent in ZIP 53226 changed +3.4% 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 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($93,132) is $2,328 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,050).

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 53222, 2 miles away, rents for 14% less ($1,404/mo), about $2,800 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 53226. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$19,632/yr

At $1,636/mo median

Location

CityWauwatosa

StateWI

CountyMilwaukee County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (3.4% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.4% YoY, +0.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 53226 (Wauwatosa, WI) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 60.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

18,908

Median income

$93,132

Median age

39.9

Renters

42.6%

Age distribution

17.4%

24.8%

28.5%

19.1%

Under 1817.4%

18–3424.8%

35–5428.5%

55–6410.2%

65+19.1%

Gender

46.7%

53.3%

Male46.7%

Female53.3%

Race & ethnicity

81.5%

White81.5%

Black6%

Hispanic5.6%

Asian5%

Other1.9%

Education (25+)

14.4%

22.4%

60.5%

No HS diploma2.6%

HS diploma14.4%

Some college22.4%

Bachelor's+60.5%

Housing tenure

57.4%

42.6%

Owner57.4%

Renter42.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 53226 in Wauwatosa, WI has changed in 5 years

Income

$81,948 → $93,132

up 13.6%

Population

18,223 → 18,908

up 3.8%

Renter share

38.8% → 42.6%

+3.8 pts

Bachelor's+

60.7% → 60.5%

-0.2 pts

Median age

38.1 → 39.9

+1.8 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $81,948 to $93,132 across the same window, up 13.6% versus 2021. The population has grown by 3.8% since 2021, moving from about 18,223 residents to roughly 18,908. Renters now make up 42.6% of households, compared with 38.8% five years ago.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 53226

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 53226

About renting in ZIP 53226

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 53226 covers Wauwatosa, WI. The median rent here is $1,636/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,290/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,540/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($93,132/yr), ZIP 53226 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 53226?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $65,000/year (about $31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,636/mo in ZIP 53226. The local median household income is $93,132/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 53226?

Rent in ZIP 53226 has risen 3.4% over the past year.

How does ZIP 53226 compare to other ZIPs in Wisconsin?

ZIP 53226 is one of the pricier among Wisconsin ZIP codes for rent, ranking #28 of 103 at $1,636/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 53226 changed +3.4%, against a typical +5.6% across the 71 Wisconsin ZIP codes Zillow tracks.