ZIP Code · WI

ZIP 54401

Part of Wausau, WI

Pop. 31,692·Marathon County·103rd most expensive ZIP in Wisconsin

Median rent (all units)

$872/mo

Year-over-Year

+10.1%

Month-over-Month

+0.6%

vs US Median

-$1,060

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 54401 · $872

More affordable than 99% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$810

1 BR

$910

2 BR

$1,170

3 BR

$1,540

4 BR+

$1,550

Research median

$1,170/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 54401 changed +10.1% 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 10 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($71,586) is $1,790 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,550).

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 54401. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$10,464/yr

At $872/mo median

Location

CityWausau

StateWI

CountyMarathon County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 10.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+10.1% YoY, +0.6% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 54401 (Wausau, WI) is majority owner-occupied, 30.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

31,692

Median income

$71,586

Median age

40.6

Renters

33%

Age distribution

22.1%

19.8%

25%

13.3%

19.9%

Under 1822.1%

18–3419.8%

35–5425%

55–6413.3%

65+19.9%

Gender

51.3%

48.7%

Male51.3%

Female48.7%

Race & ethnicity

77.3%

12.8%

White77.3%

Hispanic4.9%

Asian12.8%

Other4.9%

Education (25+)

28.6%

31.8%

30.9%

No HS diploma8.8%

HS diploma28.6%

Some college31.8%

Bachelor's+30.9%

Housing tenure

67%

33%

Owner67%

Renter33%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 54401 in Wausau, WI has changed in 5 years

Income

$60,052 → $71,586

up 19.2%

Population

31,304 → 31,692

up 1.2%

Renter share

35% → 33%

-2.0 pts

Bachelor's+

32.8% → 30.9%

-1.9 pts

Median age

39.7 → 40.6

+0.9 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $71,586 today, compared with $60,052 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 31,304 to 31,692 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.2% change. About 33% of households rent today, against 35% in 2021.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 54401

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 54401 covers Wausau, WI. The median rent here is $872/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $910/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,170/mo.

At 15% of local median household income ($71,586/yr), ZIP 54401 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 54401?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $35,000/year (about $17/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $872/mo in ZIP 54401. The local median household income is $71,586/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 54401?

Rent in ZIP 54401 has risen 10.1% over the past year.

How does ZIP 54401 compare to other ZIPs in Wisconsin?

ZIP 54401 is one of the more affordable among Wisconsin ZIP codes for rent, ranking #103 of 103 at $872/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 54401 changed +10.1%, against a typical +5.6% across the 71 Wisconsin ZIP codes Zillow tracks.