Affordability ranking

Most Affordable Cities in Wisconsin for Renters

Ranked by annual rent as a share of median household income, lowest first. The ranking covers the 158 of 158 Wisconsin places in the committed dataset that have uncapped, non-missing rent and income estimates.

1 source baseline is past its update cadence — newer official vintage not reflected

This is an affordability ordering only. It is not a full cost of living, a rent quote or availability guarantee, and it does not rank quality of life.

#1 for renters

Mequon, WI

Rent-to-income: 10.5%

Places ranked

158

of 158 in the committed Wisconsin dataset

ZORI coverage

74 / 158

79 use HUD FMR; the other 5 use ACS 5-year rent

Explore Wisconsin cities See Wisconsin for buyers All ranking views

All 158 ranked places in Wisconsin

Ordered by Rent-to-income (lowest first). Equal ratios break by larger population, then city slug, so the order is stable. Each row names the source and vintage of its rent.

#	City	Rent-to-income	Monthly rent	Median income	Population	Rent source
1	Mequon, WI	10.5%	$1,263	$144,051	25,270	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
2	Richfield, WI	10.5%	$1,263	$143,963	11,755	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
3	Fox Point, WI	10.7%	$1,263	$141,467	6,683	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
4	Summit, WI	10.8%	$1,263	$140,682	5,114	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
5	Lake Wisconsin, WI	11.0%	$1,136	$124,127	5,384	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
6	Vernon, WI	11.3%	$1,125	$120,000	7,481	ACS 2024 (5-yr)
7	Waukesha, WI	11.8%	$1,292	$130,978	8,514	ACS 2024 (5-yr)
8	Tichigan, WI	12.1%	$1,283	$126,933	5,052	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
9	Greenville, WI	12.3%	$1,214	$117,977	12,987	ACS 2024 (5-yr)
10	Harrison, WI	12.4%	$1,256	$121,504	13,658	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
11	Kronenwetter, WI	12.7%	$1,217	$115,044	8,395	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
12	Sussex, WI	12.7%	$1,263	$119,041	12,066	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
13	Suamico, WI	13.1%	$1,287	$118,337	12,985	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
14	Lisbon, WI	13.3%	$1,371	$123,720	10,736	ACS 2024 (5-yr)
15	Muskego, WI	13.5%	$1,263	$112,221	25,406	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
16	Bristol, WI	14.0%	$1,441	$123,648	5,207	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
17	Pewaukee, WI	14.0%	$1,263	$108,350	16,211	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
18	Union Grove, WI	14.3%	$1,283	$107,482	5,036	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
19	Whitefish Bay, WI	14.8%	$1,940	$157,109	14,665	Zillow Aug 2026
20	Hobart, WI	14.9%	$1,287	$103,440	10,610	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
21	Slinger, WI	14.9%	$1,263	$101,404	6,307	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
22	Cottage Grove, WI	15.0%	$1,745	$139,313	8,513	Zillow Aug 2026
23	Germantown, WI	15.1%	$1,263	$100,231	20,962	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
24	Mukwonago, WI	15.4%	$1,263	$98,273	8,415	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
25	Rib Mountain, WI	15.5%	$1,217	$94,294	7,289	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
26	Windsor, WI	15.6%	$1,565	$120,048	9,452	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
27	Lake Mills, WI	15.9%	$1,209	$91,027	6,470	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
28	Delafield, WI	16.0%	$1,263	$94,806	7,202	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
29	Greendale, WI	16.0%	$1,263	$94,769	14,594	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
30	Jackson, WI	16.3%	$1,263	$93,170	8,003	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
31	Caledonia, WI	16.5%	$1,283	$93,152	25,257	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
32	Rothschild, WI	16.5%	$1,217	$88,261	5,600	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
33	West Salem, WI	16.6%	$1,343	$97,019	5,330	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
34	Sturtevant, WI	16.6%	$1,283	$92,647	6,772	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
35	Pleasant Prairie, WI	16.6%	$1,441	$103,902	21,669	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
36	Allouez, WI	16.9%	$1,287	$91,250	13,975	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
37	Little Chute, WI	17.2%	$1,256	$87,538	11,754	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
38	Hartland, WI	17.3%	$1,263	$87,754	9,972	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
39	Mount Horeb, WI	17.4%	$1,565	$107,856	7,736	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
40	Lake Hallie, WI	17.4%	$1,259	$86,740	7,285	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
41	Waukesha, WI	17.4%	$1,219	$83,837	71,233	ACS 2024 (5-yr)
42	Merrill, WI	17.5%	$773	$53,148	9,356	Zillow Aug 2026
43	Monroe, WI	17.6%	$1,016	$69,334	10,587	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
44	Cedarburg, WI	17.9%	$1,263	$84,896	12,605	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
45	Altoona, WI	17.9%	$1,259	$84,552	8,878	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
46	Wausau, WI	17.9%	$961	$64,389	39,996	Zillow Aug 2026
47	Plover, WI	18.0%	$1,323	$88,042	13,884	Zillow Aug 2026
48	Howard, WI	18.1%	$1,287	$85,477	21,087	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
49	Columbus, WI	18.1%	$1,136	$75,427	5,488	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
50	Fox Crossing, WI	18.1%	$1,195	$79,187	19,131	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
51	Appleton, WI	18.1%	$1,215	$80,483	75,023	Zillow Aug 2026
52	Dodgeville, WI	18.1%	$1,093	$72,288	5,042	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
53	Salem Lakes, WI	18.2%	$1,441	$94,819	14,366	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
54	Oregon, WI	18.2%	$1,565	$102,978	11,547	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
55	Bellevue, WI	18.2%	$1,287	$84,672	16,442	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
56	Hartford, WI	18.3%	$1,250	$82,014	15,821	Zillow Aug 2026
57	Jefferson, WI	18.4%	$1,209	$79,006	7,732	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
58	Burlington, WI	18.5%	$1,283	$83,419	10,987	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
59	Port Washington, WI	18.5%	$1,263	$81,948	12,645	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
60	Weston, WI	18.6%	$1,214	$78,207	15,749	Zillow Aug 2026
61	Reedsburg, WI	18.7%	$1,168	$75,028	10,168	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
62	Waterford, WI	18.7%	$1,283	$82,404	5,692	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
63	Kaukauna, WI	18.8%	$1,256	$80,365	17,706	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
64	South Milwaukee, WI	18.8%	$1,148	$73,427	20,442	Zillow Aug 2026
65	Neenah, WI	18.9%	$1,185	$75,374	27,336	Zillow Aug 2026
66	Evansville, WI	18.9%	$1,280	$81,149	5,782	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
67	Sparta, WI	19.2%	$1,039	$64,973	9,950	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
68	McFarland, WI	19.3%	$1,565	$97,500	9,160	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
69	Green Bay, WI	19.3%	$1,066	$66,206	106,253	Zillow Aug 2026
70	Onalaska, WI	19.4%	$1,390	$85,867	19,348	Zillow Aug 2026
71	Eau Claire, WI	19.6%	$1,100	$67,395	70,322	Zillow Aug 2026
72	Sheboygan Falls, WI	19.6%	$1,168	$71,477	8,547	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
73	Mayville, WI	19.8%	$1,100	$66,834	5,228	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
74	Janesville, WI	19.8%	$1,211	$73,446	66,030	Zillow Aug 2026
75	De Pere, WI	19.8%	$1,400	$84,869	25,301	Zillow Aug 2026
76	DeForest, WI	19.8%	$1,757	$106,419	11,501	Zillow Aug 2026
77	Verona, WI	19.9%	$1,982	$119,606	15,232	Zillow Aug 2026
78	Waunakee, WI	19.9%	$2,076	$125,220	15,687	Zillow Aug 2026
79	Superior, WI	19.9%	$1,065	$64,216	26,677	Zillow Aug 2026
80	Twin Lakes, WI	20.1%	$1,441	$86,222	6,309	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
81	New London, WI	20.1%	$1,014	$60,612	7,726	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
82	Elkhorn, WI	20.1%	$1,300	$77,649	10,221	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
83	Waupun, WI	20.1%	$1,100	$65,625	11,174	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
84	Fort Atkinson, WI	20.3%	$1,339	$79,302	12,463	Zillow Aug 2026
85	Wauwatosa, WI	20.3%	$1,713	$101,138	48,529	Zillow Aug 2026
86	Shorewood, WI	20.3%	$1,469	$86,726	13,627	Zillow Aug 2026
87	Berlin, WI	20.5%	$1,014	$59,472	5,562	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
88	Ashwaubenon, WI	20.6%	$1,194	$69,667	17,314	Zillow Aug 2026
89	Plymouth, WI	20.6%	$1,168	$68,038	8,890	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
90	Brookfield, WI	20.7%	$2,237	$129,548	41,273	Zillow Aug 2026
91	Marinette, WI	20.8%	$1,014	$58,638	11,115	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
92	Oconomowoc, WI	20.9%	$1,854	$106,425	19,080	Zillow Aug 2026
93	Middleton, WI	20.9%	$1,560	$89,524	22,301	Zillow Aug 2026
94	Franklin, WI	20.9%	$1,865	$106,894	35,886	Zillow Aug 2026
95	Manitowoc, WI	21.0%	$1,114	$63,757	34,620	Zillow Aug 2026
96	Portage, WI	21.1%	$1,136	$64,722	10,236	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
97	Edgerton, WI	21.2%	$1,280	$72,489	6,014	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
98	Two Rivers, WI	21.3%	$1,014	$57,222	11,231	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
99	Kimberly, WI	21.4%	$1,256	$70,451	7,447	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
100	Monona, WI	21.4%	$1,565	$87,773	8,527	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
101	Sun Prairie, WI	21.5%	$1,632	$90,942	37,570	Zillow Aug 2026
102	Brown Deer, WI	21.6%	$1,694	$93,974	12,564	Zillow Aug 2026
103	Watertown, WI	21.7%	$1,265	$70,107	22,774	Zillow Aug 2026
104	Fond du Lac, WI	21.9%	$1,138	$62,260	44,494	Zillow Aug 2026
105	Oak Creek, WI	21.9%	$1,765	$96,555	37,325	Zillow Aug 2026
106	New Richmond, WI	22.2%	$1,631	$88,157	10,539	Zillow Aug 2026
107	Ashland, WI	22.3%	$1,014	$54,529	7,902	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
108	Prairie du Chien, WI	22.4%	$1,014	$54,268	5,491	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
109	Mount Pleasant, WI	22.5%	$1,720	$91,616	27,953	Zillow Aug 2026
110	Baraboo, WI	22.5%	$1,310	$69,750	12,769	Zillow Aug 2026
111	West Bend, WI	22.6%	$1,394	$74,076	32,030	Zillow Aug 2026
112	Sheboygan, WI	22.6%	$1,187	$62,927	49,645	Zillow Aug 2026
113	Menomonee Falls, WI	22.7%	$1,895	$100,238	39,539	Zillow Aug 2026
114	Beaver Dam, WI	22.9%	$1,272	$66,673	16,565	Zillow Aug 2026
115	Waupaca, WI	23.1%	$1,014	$52,727	6,283	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
116	New Berlin, WI	23.1%	$1,946	$101,091	40,270	Zillow Aug 2026
117	Hales Corners, WI	23.2%	$1,695	$87,740	7,689	Zillow Aug 2026
118	La Crosse, WI	23.2%	$1,080	$55,866	51,356	Zillow Aug 2026
119	River Falls, WI	23.3%	$1,624	$83,627	16,719	Zillow Aug 2026
120	Wisconsin Rapids, WI	23.3%	$1,074	$55,253	18,722	Zillow Aug 2026
121	North Fond du Lac, WI	23.4%	$1,224	$62,832	5,392	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
122	Richland Center, WI	23.4%	$1,014	$51,932	5,109	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
123	Rice Lake, WI	23.5%	$1,027	$52,417	9,030	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
124	Delavan, WI	23.9%	$1,300	$65,357	8,689	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
125	Fitchburg, WI	23.9%	$1,722	$86,516	32,619	Zillow Aug 2026
126	Hudson, WI	24.0%	$1,878	$93,937	14,959	Zillow Aug 2026
127	Oshkosh, WI	24.0%	$1,246	$62,188	66,729	Zillow Aug 2026
128	Greenfield, WI	24.3%	$1,426	$70,459	37,345	Zillow Aug 2026
129	Pewaukee, WI	24.4%	$1,263	$62,139	8,196	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
130	Madison, WI	24.8%	$1,616	$78,050	278,001	Zillow Aug 2026
131	West Allis, WI	25.0%	$1,406	$67,611	59,612	Zillow Aug 2026
132	Marshfield, WI	25.0%	$1,215	$58,407	18,700	Zillow Aug 2026
133	Menasha, WI	25.0%	$1,349	$64,698	18,273	Zillow Aug 2026
134	Sturgeon Bay, WI	25.4%	$1,268	$59,926	9,806	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
135	Holmen, WI	25.5%	$1,700	$79,899	11,372	Zillow Aug 2026
136	Glendale, WI	25.6%	$1,669	$78,092	13,656	Zillow Aug 2026
137	Menomonie, WI	25.8%	$1,221	$56,889	16,539	Zillow Aug 2026
138	Racine, WI	25.8%	$1,242	$57,740	77,633	Zillow Aug 2026
139	Rhinelander, WI	26.0%	$1,112	$51,421	8,316	Zillow Aug 2026
140	Elm Grove, WI	26.0%	$3,421	$158,016	6,459	Zillow Aug 2026
141	Grafton, WI	26.2%	$1,961	$89,861	12,445	Zillow Aug 2026
142	Milton, WI	26.5%	$1,895	$85,959	5,706	Zillow Aug 2026
143	Chippewa Falls, WI	26.5%	$1,279	$57,873	14,782	Zillow Aug 2026
144	Cudahy, WI	26.7%	$1,485	$66,719	17,853	Zillow Aug 2026
145	Ripon, WI	26.8%	$1,224	$54,763	7,772	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
146	Beloit, WI	26.8%	$1,402	$62,663	36,534	Zillow Aug 2026
147	Stevens Point, WI	27.1%	$1,312	$58,031	25,785	Zillow Aug 2026
148	Kenosha, WI	27.6%	$1,638	$71,239	99,372	Zillow Aug 2026
149	Stoughton, WI	28.0%	$1,859	$79,551	13,033	Zillow Aug 2026
150	Somers, WI	28.1%	$1,888	$80,488	8,216	Zillow Aug 2026
151	Platteville, WI	28.2%	$1,014	$43,083	11,499	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
152	Whitewater, WI	28.4%	$1,300	$54,969	15,807	HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR (40th pct gross)
153	Shawano, WI	29.2%	$1,400	$57,490	9,522	Zillow Aug 2026
154	Tomah, WI	29.5%	$1,261	$51,274	9,532	Zillow Aug 2026
155	St. Francis, WI	31.3%	$1,494	$57,368	9,004	Zillow Aug 2026
156	Antigo, WI	31.7%	$1,203	$45,520	8,069	Zillow Aug 2026
157	Milwaukee, WI	32.7%	$1,477	$54,234	566,973	Zillow Aug 2026
158	Lake Geneva, WI	46.0%	$2,900	$75,629	8,521	Zillow Aug 2026

How this list is ranked. Cities are ordered by annual rent (monthly rent × 12) divided by median household income, lowest share first. Only places with precise, uncapped, positive values are ranked; ACS top codes and missing or non-positive values are excluded instead of shown as placeholders. 74 of 158 rows use the Zillow August 2026 ZORI rent estimate where matched, 79 use the HUD FY2027 2-bedroom 40th-percentile recent-mover gross-rent benchmark where no ZORI match exists, and the remaining 5 use the Census ACS 2024 5-year median gross rent. Income is always the Census ACS 2024 5-year median household income. This sample is not every place in Wisconsin and not a full cost of living, rent quote, or mortgage offer. See methodology →

Keep exploring

All Wisconsin city context Wisconsin most affordable for buyers Most affordable cities nationally Highest rent burden nationally