Madison, WI Rental Market Trends
Last updated: August 01, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Madison is $1,847, a 2.13% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,808.
Studio Apartments at $1,330 offer the most budget-friendly option with 459 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 718 square feet for $1,580, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-bedroom units at $1,993 offer 1,038 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,222 sq ft) for $2,718, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Madison, WI
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $1,847 | 859 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,330 | 459 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,580 | 718 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $1,993 | 1,038 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $2,718 | 1,222 sq. ft. |
Madison, WI rent trends
Rental prices in Madison, WI have increased by 2.13% over the past year. The average rent moved from $1,808 to $1,847.
What's the typical rent budget in Madison, WI?
The largest share of rentals in Madison, WI (38%) fall between $1,501-$2,000 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Madison, WI?
69,252 or 54% of the households in Madison, WI are renter-occupied while 59,009 or 46% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Madison?
Elvehjem $1,221/month
Greentree $1,241/month
Burr Oaks $1,248/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $1,847/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Madison?
Capitol $2,157/month
South Campus $2,767/month
State - Langdon $2,993/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in Madison, WI By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| State - Langdon | $2,993 |
| South Campus | $2,767 |
| Capitol | $2,157 |
| Tenney - Lapham | $2,093 |
| Radio Park | $2,080 |
| Stone Meadows | $2,036 |
| Greenbush | $1,983 |
| Sherman Terrace | $1,979 |
| Hawk's Landing | $1,916 |
| Marquette | $1,909 |
| Schenk - Atwood | $1,892 |
| High Crossing | $1,865 |
| Westmorland | $1,851 |
| Junction Ridge | $1,811 |
| Blackhawk | $1,810 |
| Spring Harbor | $1,804 |
| Regent | $1,800 |
| Newberry Heights | $1,783 |
| Bay Creek | $1,767 |
| Oakwood Village | $1,750 |
| Hill Farms - University | $1,735 |
| Monona | $1,724 |
| McClellan Park | $1,723 |
| North - East Park | $1,689 |
| Country Grove | $1,669 |
| Summit Woods | $1,661 |
| Mayfair Park | $1,651 |
| Sprecher East | $1,650 |
| Capitol View Heights | $1,604 |
| Hiestand | $1,592 |
| Broadway - Lakepoint | $1,562 |
| Ridgewood | $1,561 |
| Wexford Village | $1,507 |
| Westhaven Trails | $1,504 |
| High Point Estates | $1,462 |
| Oakbridge | $1,462 |
| Carpenter - Ridgeway | $1,460 |
| Sherman | $1,415 |
| Arbor Hills | $1,397 |
| Westchester Gardens - Norman Acres | $1,377 |
| Indian Springs | $1,376 |
| Leopold | $1,374 |
| Eastmorland | $1,312 |
| Bram's Addition | $1,271 |
| Burr Oaks | $1,248 |
| Greentree | $1,241 |
| Elvehjem | $1,221 |
Madison | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Arbor Hills is 21% lower than in Bay Creek
Arbor Hills rent is 24% lower than Madison average
Bay Creek rent is 4% lower than Madison average
How Madison Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Madison | $1,847 |
| Milwaukee | $1,639 |
| La Crosse | $1,277 |
| Appleton | $1,334 |
| Brookfield | $1,917 |
| Neenah | $1,403 |
| Oshkosh | $1,340 |
| Middleton | $1,656 |
| Waukesha | $1,490 |
| Wauwatosa | $1,740 |
| Hudson | $1,512 |
| Sun Prairie, WI | $1,607 |
| Fitchburg, WI | $1,626 |
| Verona, WI | $1,930 |
| Monona, WI | $1,724 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Madison apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.