Madison, WI Rental Market Trends
Last updated: February 20, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Madison is $1,810, a 2.21% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,771.
Studio Apartments at $1,286 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 $1,558, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $1,940 offer 1,034 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,218 sq ft) for $2,673, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Madison, WI
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $1,810 | 858 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,286 | 459 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,558 | 718 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $1,940 | 1,034 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $2,673 | 1,218 sq. ft. |
Madison, WI rent trends
Rental prices in Madison, WI have increased by 2.21% over the past year. The average rent moved from $1,771 to $1,810.
What's the typical rent budget in Madison, WI?
The largest share of rentals in Madison, WI (37%) 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?
67,119 or 53% of the households in Madison, WI are renter-occupied while 58,668 or 47% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Madison?
Elvehjem $1,129/month
Bram's Addition $1,189/month
Indian Springs $1,220/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $1,810/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Madison?
Capitol $2,148/month
South Campus $2,685/month
State - Langdon $2,987/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 | $2,987 |
| South Campus | $2,685 |
| Capitol | $2,148 |
| Stone Meadows | $2,036 |
| Tenney - Lapham | $2,025 |
| Marquette | $1,959 |
| Greenbush | $1,952 |
| High Crossing | $1,907 |
| Hawk's Landing | $1,891 |
| Westmorland | $1,836 |
| Bay Creek | $1,818 |
| Schenk - Atwood | $1,808 |
| Regent | $1,802 |
| Eastmorland | $1,772 |
| Tamarack Trails - Wexford Ridge | $1,764 |
| Spring Harbor | $1,761 |
| Junction Ridge | $1,756 |
| Blackhawk | $1,741 |
| Mayfair Park | $1,739 |
| Hill Farms - University | $1,739 |
| Newberry Heights | $1,725 |
| Starkweather - Yahara | $1,722 |
| Oakwood Village | $1,714 |
| McClellan Park | $1,663 |
| Broadway - Lakepoint | $1,631 |
| North - East Park | $1,619 |
| Monona | $1,605 |
| Capitol View Heights | $1,602 |
| Sprecher East | $1,597 |
| Sherman Terrace | $1,566 |
| Wexford Village | $1,534 |
| Westhaven Trails | $1,512 |
| Ridgewood | $1,510 |
| Hiestand | $1,468 |
| High Point Estates | $1,462 |
| Oakbridge | $1,456 |
| Westchester Gardens - Norman Acres | $1,405 |
| Faircrest | $1,388 |
| Carpenter - Ridgeway | $1,368 |
| Arbor Hills | $1,364 |
| Sherman | $1,354 |
| Orchard Ridge Club | $1,347 |
| Berkley Oaks - Majestic Oaks | $1,319 |
| Burr Oaks | $1,292 |
| Leopold | $1,270 |
| Allied | $1,260 |
| Greentree | $1,241 |
| Indian Springs | $1,220 |
| Bram's Addition | $1,189 |
| Elvehjem | $1,129 |
Madison | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Allied is 8% lower than in Arbor Hills
Allied rent is 30% lower than Madison average
Arbor Hills rent is 25% lower than Madison average
How Madison Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Madison | $1,810 |
| Milwaukee | $1,567 |
| Appleton | $1,271 |
| La Crosse | $1,246 |
| Neenah | $1,267 |
| Brookfield | $1,871 |
| Oshkosh | $1,142 |
| Middleton | $1,582 |
| Onalaska | $1,425 |
| New Berlin | $1,656 |
| Wauwatosa | $1,669 |
| Sun Prairie, WI | $1,578 |
| Fitchburg, WI | $1,582 |
| Monona, WI | $1,605 |
| Verona, WI | $1,900 |
| Stoughton, WI | $1,433 |
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.