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Apartments for Rent in Madison, WI under $800 – 33 Rentals available

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Renter's Guide to Madison, WI

Madison, Wisconsin is a city filled with Midwestern charm. It's a place where you can instantly feel at home, especially if you love the outdoors, sports, and cold beer—because Madison, WI has no shortage of those three.

Madison ranks within the top 10 of US cities for healthy and active lifestyles, including swimming, biking, and parks. But it also rates highly for economic growth and STEM professionals. That makes Madison a great place to flatten your abs while fattening your wallet.

Madison is only 74 miles from Milwaukee and 147 miles from Chicago, a short road trip away. Green Bay, the home of the iconic Packers football team, is somewhere in between—at 135 miles from Madison.

Madison is a fairly small city. At 94 square miles, it's roughly the same size as Milwaukee, but only 40% the size of Chicago.

If you're the type of person who enjoys distinct seasons, Madison may be right up your alley. The weather in Madison is a tale of two extremes, with winter temperatures that regularly drop below freezing, often as low as 0ºF. Meanwhile, summers are warm and humid, regularly pushing into the 80s and sometimes even into the 90s.

Madison, WI Demographics

  • Total Population254,977
  • Female 126,190
    Male 128,787
  • Median Age31

Cost of Living in Madison

When it comes to living on a budget, you could definitely do worse than Madison.

If you choose public transportation, you can go for the expansive bus system, which has dozens of different routes and offers rides for $2.00 each—or a 31-day pass for $58.00. The city is home to four cab companies, which means it's easy to get around.

When dinner rolls around, a meal for two at a mid-tier restaurants will only set you back about $45, while the average cappuccino costs less than $3.50.

As for your bills, utility costs in Madison are around $109 for a 915-square-foot apartment, which includes electricity, water, heating, and waste collection. That's almost $40 less than the national average of $147. Not bad at all.

Average Rent in Madison, WI

  • Madison, WI Average Rental Price, May 2021 $1,325 /mo

    Madison, WI Apartment Rent Ranges

    • $501-$7001%
    • $701-$1,00030%
    • $1,001-$1,50045%
    • $1,501-$2,00015%
    • > $2,0009%

    Madison, WI Rent Trends

    Average Rent Mar / 2018 Jul / 2018 Nov / 2018 Mar / 2019 Jul / 2019 Nov / 2019 Mar / 2020 Jul / 2020 Nov / 2020 Mar / 2021 May / 2021
    Madison, WI $1,205 $1,211 $1,219 $1,234 $1,252 $1,256 $1,269 $1,281 $1,288 $1,320 $1,325
    National $1,314 $1,345 $1,354 $1,358 $1,390 $1,397 $1,400 $1,392 $1,396 $1,407 $1,428
    /

    Check out the average rent prices in Madison by neighborhood.

    Living in Madison

    Even as a relatively small city, Madison has plenty of things going for it. It's fairly inexpensive, while being home to some great food and beer. And it's surrounded by lakes, which is a real plus for any nature loves.

    On the other hand, winters in Madison are brutally cold, and it does lack some of the entertainment options of a bigger city.

    The city has a predominantly white population, with roughly 15% split evenly between Asian and African-American inhabitants.

    Things to do in Madison

    What exactly is there to do in a city like Madison? Plenty.

    Madison is also known as “The City of Four Lakes”, which refers to Lake Kegonsa, Lake Waubesa, Lake Monona, and Lake Mendota. There's even a fifth lake, Lake Wingra.

    That means there are plenty of fishing, boating, and camping options nearby—in the warmer months, at least. During the colder months, there are plenty of winter sports options around the city too, like skiing, ice skating, and more.

    Did we mention the Olbrich Botanical Gardens? It’s a can't miss for any nature lover.

    Or if you're looking for something a little more cultural, there's the annual Art Fair on the Square or the Chazen Museum of Art. Even though it's a typical Midwestern city in many ways, Madison is definitely the most progressive and liberal city in Wisconsin.

    For shopping, there's the very popular Madison Farmer's Market, where you can buy fresh produce straight from the source. And for your other shopping needs, you can check out the West Towne Mall or the Hilldale Shopping Center.

    When it comes to food, Madison is known for its cheese, its beer, and its bratwurst. After taking one of the local food tours, you'll understand why.

    But no Madison, WI guide would be complete without talking about the sports. Not only is the city very accessible to Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Chicago, where you can find some of the best professional football, basketball, baseball, and hockey teams in the country, Madison is also home of the University of Wisconsin's athletic teams.

    That means some of the best college basketball, hockey, and football you can find anywhere. UW's hockey team has more titles than almost any team in the country, and their men's basketball team has made it deep into the NCAA tournament three years in a row.

    Working in Madison

    Madison's biggest industry is manufacturing, though there are still plenty of options in agriculture, healthcare, tech, service, and government.

    Some of the city's biggest employers include John Deere & Co., Kraft Foods, Lands' End, and the Madison-based Sony Creative Software.

    Madison, WI Households

    • Total Number of Households110,294
    • Family 50,843
      Non-family 59,451
    • Children 23,804
      No Children 86,490
    • Average People Per Household2.21
    • Median Household Income$65,332
    • Median Housing Costs Per Month$1,229

    Top Colleges in Madison

    Madison ranks among the best cities in the country for education, with more college degrees and PhDs per capita than almost anywhere in the United States.

    The city is home to the Madison campus of the University of Wisconsin, one of America's largest universities.

    Madison, WI Education Statistics

    • No High School2%
    • Some High School19%
    • Some College19%
    • Associate Degree7%
    • Bachelor Degree32%
    • Graduate Degree21%

    Tips for Renting in Madison

    It's helpful to know what you're getting into before you decide to rent a place in a new city, so here are a few tips to keep you covered.

    When you first move in, you have 7 days to inform the landlord of any pre-existing problems or damages in the residence. There is no limit on how much landlords can charge for security deposits, but there is a 21-day deadline for your deposit to be returned after you move out.

    If the landlord feels you broke the lease, whether through a failure to pay rent or anything else, you'll be given a 5, 14, or 30 day eviction notice. During that time, you can either resolve the case with the landlord, or wait until it goes to court and make your arguments there.

    Renting apartments in Madison, WI under $800

    Searching for apartments for rent in Madison, WI under $800 is not an easy task, but luckily you have come to the right place. Whether you are a student on a budget, a young professional on the move, or simply a frugal person, RENTCafé can help you find what you are looking for. Just make sure you know what you consider non-negotiable and what you can compromise on. Your new home is just a few clicks away. In Madison, WI, where the average rent is $802 per month, there are 34 units available for less than $800. Click on any of these units to see pictures, floor plans, amenities and more. After you have picked your favorite, you can contact the property to check availability. Considering that you are trying to spend as little as possible, looking at 1 bedroom apartments and studio apartments might be a good idea.

    We’ll help you find the cheapest rental near you

    Finding a nice cheap apartment is by no means impossible. You just have to be patient. Your “apartments near me under $800” search can bear fruit sooner than you think if you look carefully and check our site often. You never know when discount deals and special offers might pop up. Keep in mind that you are not the only one looking for an affordable apartment in Madison, WI. Choose “Save Search” to receive the latest apartments available directly to your inbox. This way, you will be able to stay one step ahead of the competition. With the cheapest apartments in Madison, WI going for $360 per month, there are great deals waiting to be discovered. Feeling lucky? Expand your search to 2 bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom apartments as well for more space.

    Finding a home nearby is easier than you think. Check out our Apartments Near Me page and take your pick!