Rowe MKE
1845 N Water St,
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Studio - 3 Beds | $1,703 - $4,414
Rental Market Trends in Milwaukee, WI
Updated August 2026
The average rent in Milwaukee, WI is $1,220/month.
Rent in Milwaukee is 27% lower than the national average rent of $1,664/month, making this one of the less expensive cities statewide.
$1,220/month
Average Rent
643 Sq Ft
Average Size
+2.3%
Change / Year
6,973
Available Apartments
Milwaukee rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in Milwaukee average $1,005 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in Milwaukee average $1,220 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in Milwaukee average $1,542 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in Milwaukee average $2,043 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Milwaukee, WI?
In the past year, rent has increased by 2.3%, which averages out to $28 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
August 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Milwaukee, WI
August 2026
$700 - $1,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
15%
Below $700/month
33%
$700 - $1,000/month
32%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
13%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
7%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Milwaukee?
Based on current rent prices, Wilson Park, Castle Manor and Harawbee are the most affordable neighborhoods in Milwaukee.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Milwaukee?
Based on current rent prices, Juneau Town, Yankee Hill and Historic Third Ward are the most expensive neighborhoods in Milwaukee.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Which Milwaukee neighborhoods have the most rentals available?
The neighborhoods in Milwaukee with the most apartments available are Downtown Milwaukee, Lower East Side and Historic Third Ward .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Milwaukee, WI?
Because the average rent in Milwaukee is $1,220, you’ll want to make about $4,066 per month or $48,792 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Milwaukee, WI is 0.5% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Milwaukee is 6.3% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,005 - $2,043. You can expect to pay 1.2% more for groceries, 5.6% less for utilities, and 1.6% less for transportation.
How does Milwaukee, WI compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare Milwaukee, WI to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.
View the Milwaukee Area GuideStudio
-
$1,150/month
One Bedroom
$1,608/month
$1,699/month
Two Bedroom
$1,951/month
$2,637/month
Three Bedroom
$2,061/month
$6,714/month
Compare Rent Trends Nearby
Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.
-
Wauwatosa
Avg Rent: $1,548/month
-
West Milwaukee
Avg Rent: $718/month
-
Shorewood
Avg Rent: $1,371/month
-
West Allis
Avg Rent: $1,245/month
-
Glendale
Avg Rent: $1,588/month
-
Whitefish Bay
Avg Rent: $1,746/month
-
Elm Grove
Avg Rent: $2,020/month
-
Butler
Avg Rent: $932/month
-
Bay View
Avg Rent: $1,250/month
Apartment Communities in Milwaukee We Think You'll Love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Milwaukee?
The average rent in Milwaukee is $1,220 per month, which is 26.7% lower than the national average of $1,664.
What is the average rent for a house in Milwaukee?
The average rent for a house in Milwaukee, WI is $2,203 per month.
What is the average rent for a townhome in Milwaukee?
The average rent for a townhome in Milwaukee, WI is $1,494 per month.
What is the average rent for a condo in Milwaukee?
The average rent for a condo in Milwaukee, WI is $1,246 per month.
Are rents going up or down in Milwaukee?
Rents in Milwaukee, WI are increasing, with prices up 2.3% year-over-year and $28 more per month.
What rent range is most common in Milwaukee?
In Milwaukee, WI, 33% of apartments fall between $700 - $1,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.