cheapest places to live in wisconsin

The Cheapest Places to Live in Wisconsin

If making a move to or within Wisconsin is in your near future, there are some cities to consider at all price points. Here are the 10 cheapest places to live in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin average rent prices

While some cities throughout Wisconsin have experienced a significant increase in rent over the past year, fortunately, most cities have kept their rent increases below double-digit percentages and some rent prices reduced immensely. In fact, Wisconsin as a whole has seen a monthly rent decrease in the last year. Luckily, the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,151 — down 5.7 percent since last year.

The cheapest cities in Wisconsin for renters

Budget-conscious renters can expect to pay between $726 to $1,028 for a one-bedroom apartment in the top 10 cheapest cities in Wisconsin.

If living in one of the most hospitable Midwest states is on your agenda, here are the 10 cheapest cities to live in Wisconsin, based on current one-bedroom rent prices.

10. Waterford

cheapest places to live in wisconsin

Photo Source: Explore Waterford / Facebook
  • Average 1-BR rent price: $1,028
  • Average rent change in the past year: 0 percent

Situated between Milwaukee and Lake Geneva in the southeastern part of Wisconsin is Waterford, a city that includes 1,100 acres of navigable water to enjoy by canoe or kayak. The family-friendly community actively hosts farmer’s markets, golf outings, corn hole tournaments and more to residents.

If you want to live in a tight-knit and community-oriented city, complete with a downtown Heritage District, Waterford is worth exploring.

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9. Marshfield

Wisconsin.

Photo Source: Visit Marshfield / Facebook
  • Average 1-BR rent price: $975
  • Average rent change in the past year: 8.9 percent

For those who want a bit of a suburban feel but easy access to cities like Stevens Point, Marshfield provides residents with a great healthcare system through the Marshfield Clinic Health System, strong elementary and high schools and great “Main Street” shopping along Central Avenue, too.

The city even has its own free zoo — the Wildwood Park and Zoo.

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8. Kronenwetter

cheapest places to live in wisconsin

Photo source: Village of Kronenwetter, WI / Facebook
  • Average 1-BR rent price: $971
  • Average rent change in the past year: N/A

Next on our list of the cheapest places to live in Wisconsin is one that’s really a village in Central Wisconsin called Kronenwetter. The town of Kronenwetter gets its name from Sebastian Kronenwetter — a state legislator and prominent pioneer resident of Marathon County.

Residents enjoy several parks and recreation centers throughout the area and the village serves two public school districts: one that serves students in the northern half of the village and one for the southern half.

The active village residents help plan events ranging from movies under the stars in nearby parks to farmers markets.

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7. Waukesha

cheapest places to live in wisconsin

Photo source: The City of Waukesha / Facebook
  • Average 1-BR rent price: $970
  • Average rent change in the past year: -2.5 percent

The city of Waukesha is a rich mix of neighborhoods, offering residents excellent schools, a variety of shopping choices, a diverse industrial base, an active arts community and beautiful parks and recreational amenities.

Just 18 miles west of Milwaukee, Waukesha has an urban suburb feel filled with young professionals and families attracted to the strong school system, parks and restaurants.

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6. De Pere

Wisconsin.

Photo source: De Pere Parks, Rec & Forestry / Facebook
  • Average 1-BR rent price: $894
  • Average rent change in the past year: 9 percent

Whether you love to go on long walks or hikes, runs, cycling or in-line skating, there is a trail for you to enjoy in De Pere since it has three separate trail systems of almost eight miles to enjoy year-round.

Here, swimmers can enjoy either the VFW Aquatic Facility or Legion Pool. Additionally, in De Pere, art lovers will appreciate the rich public art throughout the city. Moreover, this suburb of Green Bay has its own unique homes and restaurants, schools and shops.

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5. Fond Du Lac

Snowy Wisconsin.

Photo source: Fond du Lac County Historical Society / Facebook
  • Average 1-BR rent price: $789
  • Average rent change in the past year: -1.4 percent

A family-friendly community with a strong sense of history, Fond du Lac residents enjoy several amenities including a public library and active sporting centers with year-round programming. With all that said, Fond du Lac is a perfect city to call home.

The Fond du Lac County Historical Society helps connect residents to the town’s local history and there are plenty of restaurants and bars for locals and visitors to enjoy.

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4. Hales Corner

Hales Corners, Wisconsin.

Photo source: Hales Corners Recreation Department / Facebook
  • Average 1-BR rent price: $785
  • Average rent change in the past year: -7.70 percent

Located just over 10 miles from Milwaukee, Hales Corner in the state’s southeastern part has a small suburban feel where it’s easy to meet and get to know your neighbors.

Expect to find great brewpubs, greenery in the form of parks and hiking trails and even a botanical garden here. The Boerner Botanical Gardens features 11 specialty gardens — including a bog walk and rose garden, too.

A one-bedroom apartment in Hales Corner decreased by 7.7 percent since last year. Fortunately for renters here, it’s possible to find an apartment for less than $800 a month.

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3. Merrill

Wisconsin.

Photo source: City of Merrill, Wisconsin / Facebook
  • Average 1-BR rent price: $778
  • Average rent change in the past year: 17.3 percent

Nicknamed “The City of Parks,” thanks to its many parks located throughout Merrill, the city is also home to approximately 10,000 residents. Merrill is on the Wisconsin and Prairie rivers.

The active community hosts several year-round events for its residents, from a farmers market to parades. Since there are so many parks and nearby rivers to enjoy, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities from fishing and kayaking to hiking and birding, too.

Merrill is also home to several businesses included Agra Industries, Church Mutual Insurance Company, Lincoln Wood Products and Merrill Manufacturing.

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2. Racine

racine wi

  • Average 1-BR rent price: $758
  • Average rent change in the past year: 1.20 percent

Located on the shore of Lake Michigan and just 22 miles south of Milwaukee, Racine takes advantage of its proximity to the lake with many opportunities to enjoy lakefront activities, whether it’s yoga or swimming at one of its popular beaches or canoeing or kayaking.

Art and architecture fans will appreciate having close access to the Racine Art Museum, home to the country’s largest contemporary crafts while visitors from all over the world make the trek to Racine to see the S.C. Johnson’s world-renowned architecture headquarters, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

And, of course, residents have bragging rights to kringle, the oval-shaped Danish pastry produced mostly in bakeries in Racine County. Furthermore, you can’t come to Racine without having a kringle or two.

Its downtown area is charming and filled with independent boutiques and restaurants. In addition to being home to S.C. Johnson, other businesses such as Twin Disc, Modine and In-Sink-Erator have locations in Racine.

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1. Wisconsin Rapids

wisconsin rapids wi

Photo source: Wisconsin Rapids Downtown Farmers Market / Facebook
  • Average 1-BR rent price: $726
  • Average rent change in the past year: 13.1 percent

Most people don’t know cranberries grown in the United States come from Wisconsin, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Washington and the Wisconsin Rapids area is well-known as cranberry country.

Besides cranberries, Wisconsin Rapids is an attraction magnet. There is the award-winning Wisconsin Rapids Aqua Skiers, a show waterski team, the Wisconsin Rapids Municipal Zoo and even the Tri-City Curling Club, one of only 80 facilities in the country that offers training and competitions for locals and visitors to enjoy.

Additionally, Wisconsin Rapids is also known for its arts and cultural institutions. A downtown farmers market takes place twice a week from early June through end of September, as well as many unique shopping opportunities and family-operated restaurants, cafes, food trucks and taverns.

Luckily, there is no shortage of fun and activities in the Wisconsin Rapids area and more people flock to this area as a one-bedroom apartment increased in rent by more than 13 percent over the past year. Even with the double-digit increase, it’s possible to find a place for around $726 a month.

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The most expensive places to live in Wisconsin

It’s possible to find a one-bedroom apartment in Wisconsin for less than $1,500 a month. Even some of the most expensive places to live in Wisconsin, such as Saint Francis or Kenosha, offer a one-bedroom apartment for $1,469 and $1,436 respectively.

If budget is a concern, here are some of the most expensive places to live in Wisconsin.

RankCity1BR Avg RentYoY Rent Price Change
1Saint Francis $1,469 N/A
2Kenosha $1,436 10.13%
3Ashwaubenon $1,354 8.70%
4Middleton $1,282 -0.33%
5Cottage Grove $1,278 12.55%
6Wausau $1,253 -1.74%
7Sheboygan Falls $1,226 N/A
8Madison $1,218 2.90%
9Green Bay $1,208 -24.65%
10Sun Prairie $1,193 -0.11%

Methodology

Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.’s multifamily rental property inventory as of June 2021. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets.

We excluded cities with insufficient inventory from this report.

The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.

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