County FMR · HUD FY2026

Milwaukee County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Milwaukee County, WI - 17% above the US average.

$1,119
1-bedroom FMR
$1,338
2-bedroom FMR
+6.0%
YoY change
+17%
vs US avg

The verdict

Milwaukee is the 8th most expensive of 72 counties in Wisconsin by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #692 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 6.0% since FY 2025, a modest shift relative to most counties.

#692
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#8
most expensive of 72 in Wisconsin (2BR)
+28%
vs the state average
$44,760
income to afford it (30% rule)

General and Operations Managers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (11.9%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (47.1%); nearby Wisconsin counties range as much as 67% apart in 1-bedroom FMR, so the county line itself can matter for renters comparing options.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Milwaukee County, WI. Verify with HUD →

HUD sets the FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent for Milwaukee County, Wisconsin at $1,119 per month - the federal rental-assistance benchmark for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,338/mo and a studio is $1,027/mo. This is 17% higher than the national average of $959 and 28% above the Wisconsin average of $872.

Rent increased6.0% from FY 2025 ($1,056), outpacing inflation. A household needs about $44,760/year to stay under the 30% rent-to-income line.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Wisconsin. Population: 933,063. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-2.8%, Census ACS). That's slower than Wisconsin's statewide growth of +2.0% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area MILWAUKEE·COUNTY·WI·WI

Milwaukee County, WI: $1,119/mo 1BR · #692 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA WI
  • 1BR-FMR $1,119
  • 2BR-FMR $1,338
  • RANK-MID #692
  • YOY-SURGE +6.0%
  • VSUS-ABOVE +17%
  • VS-ST-HIGH +28% WI
  • INC-MID 22%
  • POP-MAJOR 933K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Dane County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $1,007–$1,231
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Dane ($363 1BR gap)

Read with: Understanding rent burden

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $797 · US avg: $893
$1,027/mo
↑ 9.4% YoY +29% vs state +15% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $872 · US avg: $959
$1,119/mo
↑ 6.0% YoY +28% vs state +17% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,097 · US avg: $1,175
$1,338/mo
↑ 6.4% YoY +22% vs state +14% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,405 · US avg: $1,525
$1,648/mo
↑ 5.8% YoY +17% vs state +8% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,572 · US avg: $1,756
$1,784/mo
↑ 4.9% YoY +13% vs state +2% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $939
$1,027
+$88 (+9.4%)
1 Bedroom $1,056
$1,119
+$63 (+6.0%)
2 Bedroom $1,257
$1,338
+$81 (+6.4%)
3 Bedroom $1,558
$1,648
+$90 (+5.8%)
4 Bedroom $1,701
$1,784
+$83 (+4.9%)

Rent Burden Analysis

How much of household income goes to rent in Milwaukee County. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.

Studio
19.8%
Affordable
Need $41,080/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
21.6%
Affordable
Need $44,760/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
25.8%
Affordable
Need $53,520/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
31.8%
Burdened
Need $65,920/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
34.5%
Burdened
Need $71,360/yr for 30% rule
How we calculate this

Rent burden = (FMR × 12) ÷ county median household income. Required income = (FMR × 12) ÷ 0.3, the federal 30%-of-gross-income rule HUD uses to define cost burden. Median household income is from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey; FMR is from HUD's FY2026 release. See methodology.

0%100%National avg22%25.8%
Milwaukee County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $62,118 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Wisconsin rent burden →

Where Milwaukee sits among every US county

2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. all 3,145 HUD counties

$1,338 Top 22% higher than 78% of 3,145 counties

$600–$800: 23 counties (1%). Below this entry. $800–$1,000: 1,406 counties (45%). Below this entry. $1,000–$1,200: 723 counties (23%). Below this entry. $1,200–$1,400: 417 counties (13%). This entry sits in this band. $1,400–$1,600: 181 counties (6%). Above this entry. $1,600–$1,800: 172 counties (5%). Above this entry. $1,800–$2,000: 108 counties (3%). Above this entry. $2,000–$2,200: 29 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,200–$2,400: 40 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,400–$2,600: 13 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,600–$2,800: 9 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,800–$3,000: 15 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,000–$3,200: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,200–$3,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,400–$3,600: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,600–$3,800: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,800–$4,000: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,000–$4,200: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,200–$4,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. This county $600 $4,400 every US county, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $0.2K-wide band; taller bars hold more counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents · FY2026

How Milwaukee compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Wisconsin counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Milwaukee is highlighted. Nearby Wisconsin counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Dane County ($1,482), Milwaukee County (this county) ($1,119), Waukesha County ($1,119), Racine County ($988), Outagamie County ($960), Brown County ($931), Winnebago County ($889).

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) As of FY2026

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

Against a high local FMR of $1,119/mo, which of 15 common occupations still clear the 30% line using Wisconsin BLS wages?

Occupation WI Salary Rent Burden Verdict
General & Operations Managers $113,170 11.9% Affordable
Software Developers $103,360 13% Affordable
Registered Nurses $86,070 15.6% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $78,980 17% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $78,150 17.2% Affordable
Electricians $75,090 17.9% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $60,690 22.1% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $57,380 23.4% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $56,520 23.8% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $45,980 29.2% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $43,620 30.8% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $36,050 37.2% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $35,850 37.5% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $33,640 39.9% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $28,500 47.1% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Wisconsin) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

7-year Fair Market Rent history for Milwaukee County. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Milwaukee (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 47.0% overall, from $761 to $1,119. The increases have been fairly steady year to year, with no single jump exceeding 9.9% (FY 2023).

$700$800$900$1,000$1,100$1,200 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,119
Milwaukee County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑6.0% $1,027 $1,119 $1,338
FY 2025 ↑7.9% $939 $1,056 $1,257
FY 2024 ↑7.7% $845 $979 $1,170
FY 2023 ↑9.9% $766 $909 $1,092
FY 2022 ↑3.0% $687 $827 $999
FY 2021 ↑5.5% $663 $803 $973
FY 2020 $628 $761 $922
Total change (6yr): +47.0%
Annualized: +6.6%/yr
1 BR: $761 → $1,119

Part of the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metro Area

Milwaukee County is a central county of the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metropolitan statistical area, alongside 3 other metro-area counties.

Milwaukee County ranks #4 of 4 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: Waukesha County ($1,119), Washington County ($1,119), Ozaukee County ($1,119), Milwaukee County (this county) ($1,119).

Waukesha County
1 BR: $1,119/mo
Washington County
1 BR: $1,119/mo
Ozaukee County
1 BR: $1,119/mo
Milwaukee County (this county)
1 BR: $1,119/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Milwaukee County, both outside Wisconsin so the link neighborhoods are not the same-state geography lattice above. Axes stay disjoint: burden peers exclude the FMR peer set.

Similar 2-bedroom FMR

Nearest HUD 2BR Fair Market Rents outside WI (FY2026).

Smith County
TX · 2 BR $1,338/mo
Greenville County
SC · 2 BR $1,339/mo
Pickens County
SC · 2 BR $1,339/mo
Tom Green County
TX · 2 BR $1,339/mo

Similar rent burden

Nearest 2BR FMR as a share of median household income (outside WI).

Martinsville city
VA · 25.8% of income · 2 BR $914/mo
McCone County
MT · 25.9% of income · 2 BR $1,548/mo
Douglas County
OR · 25.9% of income · 2 BR $1,271/mo
Carson City
NV · 25.8% of income · 2 BR $1,546/mo

Nearby Counties in Wisconsin

Largest counties by population in Wisconsin

Showing the 8 largest of 71 other counties in Wisconsin.

Dane County
1 BR: $1,482/mo Pop: 559,891
Waukesha County
1 BR: $1,119/mo Pop: 407,290
Brown County
1 BR: $931/mo Pop: 268,393
Racine County
1 BR: $988/mo Pop: 197,068
Outagamie County
1 BR: $960/mo Pop: 190,611
Winnebago County
1 BR: $889/mo Pop: 171,197
Kenosha County
1 BR: $1,092/mo Pop: 168,693
Rock County
1 BR: $955/mo Pop: 163,817
View all counties in Wisconsin →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Milwaukee County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Milwaukee County is $1,119 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,338 and a studio is $1,027.
How does Milwaukee County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Milwaukee County is 17% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,119 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Milwaukee County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Milwaukee County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,338 ranks #692 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the upper-rent quarter of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Milwaukee County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $44,760 ($3,730/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Milwaukee County.
Is rent going up or down in Milwaukee County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Milwaukee County increased by 6.0% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,056 to $1,119.
Which jobs can afford rent in Milwaukee County? ▼
Based on Wisconsin BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like General and Operations Managers, Software Developers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $1,119/mo. 10 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Milwaukee County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Milwaukee County went from $761 in FY 2020 to $1,119 in FY 2026, a total change of +47.0% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Milwaukee County? ▼
In Milwaukee County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,119/mo for a 1-bedroom sets the baseline that local housing authorities use for Section 8 payment standards.
What does Fair Market Rent mean for Milwaukee County? ▼
For Milwaukee County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,119/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD Fair Market Rents. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

All federal data sources used on this page
  • HUD Fair Market Rents (FMR) - county-level fair-market rent estimates by bedroom count. huduser.gov/datasets/fmr
  • HUD Income Limits - area median income for affordability calculations. huduser.gov/datasets/il
  • HUD Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) - rent burden and housing-cost distribution. huduser.gov/datasets/cp
  • U.S. Census Bureau ACS - county and metro housing characteristics + median rent. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
  • BLS Consumer Price Index, Rent of Primary Residence - rent inflation by metro. bls.gov/cpi
  • IRS Migration Data (SOI) - interstate migration aggregates affecting county demand. irs.gov/statistics/migration
  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - state-level median wages by occupation, used for job affordability analysis. bls.gov/oes

Every figure on PlainRent is rendered directly from HUD's published Fair Market Rent records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of FY 2026.