State FMR profile · HUD FY2026

Fair Market Rents in Wisconsin

The average 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent across Wisconsin is $872/mo - 9% below the US average.

$872
Avg 1BR FMR
72
Counties
13
Metro areas

The verdict

Wisconsin's 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent averages $1,097 - 7% below the US average, the 18th lowest of 51 states.

Wisconsin's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom averages $1,097, 7% below the US average - the 18th lowest of 51 states. A household needs about $43,880 in annual income to afford it under HUD's 30% affordability rule, and rents vary 100% between the state's cheapest and priciest counties.

#18
most affordable of 51 states (2BR)
-7%
vs the US 2-bedroom average
$43,880
income to afford it (30% rule)
100%
gap, cheapest→priciest county

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for 72 counties and 13 metro areas in WI. Verify with HUD →

What these rents mean for Wisconsin

Across Wisconsin's 72 counties and 13 metro areas, HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent averages $872/mo for a 1-bedroom (studio through 4-bedroom averages are broken out below). FMR is set at the county or metro FMR area level, not statewide, so that figure is the arithmetic average of every FMR area inside WI, weighted equally. Local housing authorities use each county's or metro's FMR (not the state average) to calibrate Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards, typically ranging from 90% to 110% of FMR.

Benchmarked against the rest of the country, Wisconsin's average 1-bedroom FMR of $872 is 9% below the US average of $959. Inside the state, rents are not uniform - the cheapest 1-bedroom FMR is in Ashland County at $742, while the most expensive is in Dane County at $1,482, a spread of roughly 100% between the lowest- and highest-cost counties. That intra-state dispersion is why urban voucher recipients, families relocating for jobs, and landlords setting Section 8 rents all need to check the specific FMR area rather than rely on a statewide figure.

For affordability, the 30% rule implies a household income of $34,880 per year (about $2,907/month) to afford Wisconsin's average 1-bedroom at $872. With a state population of 5,892,023 and median household income of $75,670, a significant share of Wisconsin renters fall above the 30% cost-burden threshold in higher-FMR counties. Pair these rent figures with Wisconsin's rent burden rankings and year-over-year rent growth pages to see which counties are tightening fastest and which remain comparatively affordable.

Where Wisconsin sits among all 50 states + DC

Average 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. every US state

$1,097 higher than 33% of 51 states

$900–$1,000: 11 states (22%). Below this entry. $1,000–$1,100: 7 states (14%). This entry sits in this band. $1,100–$1,200: 8 states (16%). Above this entry. $1,200–$1,300: 2 states (4%). Above this entry. $1,300–$1,400: 3 states (6%). Above this entry. $1,400–$1,500: 8 states (16%). Above this entry. $1,500–$1,600: 3 states (6%). Above this entry. $1,600–$1,700: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $1,700–$1,800: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $1,800–$1,900: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $1,900–$2,000: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $2,000–$2,100: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $2,100–$2,200: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $2,200–$2,300: 2 states (4%). Above this entry. $2,300–$2,400: 0 states (0%). Above this entry. $2,400–$2,500: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. WI $900 $2,500 every US state, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $0.1K-wide band; taller bars hold more states. 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

State Average vs National Average

Studio
$797
-11% vs US avg
1 BR
$872
-9% vs US avg
2 BR
$1,097
-7% vs US avg
3 BR
$1,405
-8% vs US avg
4 BR
$1,572
-10% vs US avg

Most expensive counties in Wisconsin by 1-bedroom FMR

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent, the highest-cost 10 of 72 WI counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Inside WI, 1-bedroom FMR runs from $742 in Ashland County to $1,482 in Dane County.

Source HUD Fair Market Rents and U.S. Census Bureau ACS data As of FY2026

Cheapest Counties

Lowest FMR rental costs →

Most Expensive Counties

Highest FMR rental costs →

Rent Burden

% of income spent on rent →

Rent Growth

YoY rent trends by county →

Metro areas in Wisconsin

Each metro FMR area applies one rent schedule across all its counties, ranked here by 1-bedroom FMR.

# Metro area Studio1 BR2 BR3 BR4 BR
1 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI MSA $1,027
$1,119
$1,338$1,648$1,784
2 Kenosha, WI MSA $1,085
$1,092
$1,402$1,899$2,174
3 Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI MSA $851
$988
$1,235$1,592$1,962
4 Eau Claire, WI MSA $932
$962
$1,181$1,582$1,588
5 Appleton, WI MSA $858
$960
$1,236$1,701$1,776
6 Janesville-Beloit, WI MSA $900
$955
$1,246$1,596$1,650
7 Fond du Lac, WI MSA $811
$946
$1,176$1,522$1,665
8 Green Bay, WI HUD Metro FMR Area $867
$931
$1,164$1,545$1,618
9 Columbia County, WI HUD Metro FMR Area $824
$911
$1,195$1,645$1,798
10 La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN HUD Metro FMR Area $804
$889
$1,166$1,515$1,903
11 Oshkosh-Neenah, WI MSA $875
$889
$1,149$1,543$1,651
12 Wausau, WI MSA $791
$889
$1,147$1,511$1,519
13 Sheboygan, WI MSA $769
$888
$1,116$1,351$1,527

Counties in Wisconsin, ranked by rent (72)

All 72 counties with a published FY2026 Fair Market Rent, highest 1-bedroom first.

72 of 72
# County Studio1 BR2 BR3 BR4 BR
1 Dane County $1,268
$1,482
$1,694$2,236$2,509
2 Pierce County $1,242
$1,405
$1,709$2,262$2,531
3 St. Croix County $1,242
$1,405
$1,709$2,262$2,531
4 Milwaukee County $1,027
$1,119
$1,338$1,648$1,784
5 Ozaukee County $1,027
$1,119
$1,338$1,648$1,784
6 Washington County $1,027
$1,119
$1,338$1,648$1,784
7 Waukesha County $1,027
$1,119
$1,338$1,648$1,784
8 Kenosha County $1,085
$1,092
$1,402$1,899$2,174
9 Racine County $851
$988
$1,235$1,592$1,962
10 Douglas County $849
$978
$1,232$1,689$2,067
11 Chippewa County $932
$962
$1,181$1,582$1,588
12 Eau Claire County $932
$962
$1,181$1,582$1,588
13 Calumet County $858
$960
$1,236$1,701$1,776
14 Outagamie County $858
$960
$1,236$1,701$1,776
15 Rock County $900
$955
$1,246$1,596$1,650
16 Sauk County $807
$951
$1,111$1,404$1,482
17 Fond du Lac County $811
$946
$1,176$1,522$1,665
18 Brown County $867
$931
$1,164$1,545$1,618
19 Kewaunee County $867
$931
$1,164$1,545$1,618
20 Walworth County $831
$919
$1,206$1,517$1,956
21 Jefferson County $797
$917
$1,156$1,530$1,536
22 Columbia County $824
$911
$1,195$1,645$1,798
23 Iowa County $884
$890
$1,168$1,535$1,959
24 La Crosse County $804
$889
$1,166$1,515$1,903
25 Marathon County $791
$889
$1,147$1,511$1,519
26 Winnebago County $875
$889
$1,149$1,543$1,651
27 Crawford County $691
$888
$973$1,167$1,325
28 Menominee County $691
$888
$973$1,314$1,319
29 Sheboygan County $769
$888
$1,116$1,351$1,527
30 Oneida County $719
$887
$1,013$1,215$1,455
31 Dodge County $745
$873
$1,080$1,454$1,485
32 Door County $810
$870
$1,141$1,386$1,511
33 Green County $794
$840
$1,097$1,315$1,452
34 Polk County $756
$836
$1,097$1,357$1,669
35 Monroe County $714
$828
$1,036$1,360$1,413
36 Lafayette County $691
$819
$973$1,353$1,466
37 Adams County $767
$818
$973$1,236$1,288
38 Richland County $671
$815
$973$1,167$1,461
39 Shawano County $692
$814
$973$1,245$1,288
40 Sawyer County $771
$801
$1,051$1,260$1,392
41 Portage County $715
$794
$1,037$1,243$1,373
42 Oconto County $723
$793
$973$1,272$1,288
43 Dunn County $781
$787
$1,024$1,363$1,718
44 Jackson County $671
$787
$973$1,167$1,479
45 Vilas County $775
$780
$973$1,167$1,288
46 Waupaca County $764
$779
$973$1,283$1,288
47 Taylor County $691
$778
$973$1,245$1,570
48 Marquette County $691
$772
$973$1,247$1,385
49 Florence County $715
$767
$1,007$1,241$1,384
50 Grant County $745
$762
$973$1,213$1,594
51 Vernon County $671
$760
$973$1,221$1,485
52 Iron County $691
$758
$973$1,214$1,499
53 Clark County $723
$754
$973$1,238$1,399
54 Trempealeau County $748
$753
$988$1,303$1,308
55 Barron County $704
$750
$984$1,262$1,590
56 Lincoln County $741
$747
$973$1,353$1,417
57 Marinette County $741
$745
$973$1,167$1,457
58 Washburn County $672
$743
$975$1,169$1,291
59 Ashland County $737
$742
$973$1,353$1,613
60 Bayfield County $671
$742
$973$1,283$1,288
61 Buffalo County $691
$742
$973$1,184$1,539
62 Burnett County $691
$742
$974$1,168$1,469
63 Forest County $694
$742
$973$1,182$1,288
64 Green Lake County $691
$742
$973$1,167$1,288
65 Juneau County $737
$742
$973$1,195$1,288
66 Langlade County $691
$742
$973$1,167$1,288
67 Manitowoc County $737
$742
$973$1,167$1,288
68 Pepin County $691
$742
$973$1,329$1,632
69 Price County $737
$742
$973$1,211$1,288
70 Rusk County $737
$742
$973$1,196$1,288
71 Waushara County $691
$742
$973$1,291$1,493
72 Wood County $691
$742
$973$1,220$1,288

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Wisconsin? ▼
The average FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Wisconsin is $872 per month. A 2-bedroom averages $1,097.
How does Wisconsin rent compare to the national average? ▼
Wisconsin rents are 9% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here averages $872 vs $959 nationally.
Where is the cheapest rent in Wisconsin? ▼
The most affordable county is Ashland County with a 1-bedroom FMR of $742. The most expensive is Dane County at $1,482.
What income do I need to afford rent in Wisconsin? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need at least $34,880/year ($2,907/month) to afford the average 1-bedroom FMR in Wisconsin.

Explore Wisconsin rent data

Rent burden → Rent growth → Cheapest counties → Most expensive counties → National rent-burden rankings → Affordability calculator →

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

What this means for renters

Treat Wisconsin's FY2026 average Fair Market Rent as HUD's affordability benchmark, not a single market quote.

  • Budget to roughly 30% of income: the FY2026 average 1-bedroom FMR of $872 implies about $34,880/yr to rent without being cost-burdened. Run your numbers
  • Wisconsin's counties vary widely around this average -- compare specific counties before assuming this figure applies to yours. View county rankings
  • See where Wisconsin ranks nationally on rent. National rankings

Fair Market Rent is HUD's 40th-percentile policy benchmark used to set Housing Choice Voucher payment standards. This is a state-level average across 72 counties; actual asking rents in any specific county can run higher or lower, and HUD updates FMRs once a year. This site is informational and not financial or relocation advice.

Related

Browse all counties → | Rankings →
Data sourced from HUD Fair Market Rents and U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. See our methodology for details. Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rent data (huduser.gov). Median household income and homeownership rate: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (census.gov/programs-surveys/acs).

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.