Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Fair Market Rent (FY2026)
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI MSA · WI · 4 counties · pop. 1,568,940 (2023)
The FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI is $1,338/month. Across bedroom sizes the HUD FMR runs from $1,027 (studio) to $1,784 (4-bedroom). That 2-bedroom figure is $363 above the US national median FMR of $975 — well above the national median FMR — and ranks #64 of 75 among the largest metros (1 = most expensive). FMR is the federal voucher rent standard, not the market median.
Source: HUD USER, FY2026 Fair Market Rents (40th percentile, revised final). Data as of June 2026.
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI FMR by bedroom size
| Unit size | Monthly FMR | ≈ Weekly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / efficiency | $1,027 | $237 | $12,324 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,119 | $258 | $13,428 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,338 | $309 | $16,056 |
| 3-bedroom | $1,648 | $381 | $19,776 |
| 4-bedroom | $1,784 | $412 | $21,408 |
Source: HUD USER, FY2026 Fair Market Rents (40th percentile, revised final). Data as of June 2026.
Weekly and annual figures are simple conversions of the monthly FMR (÷4.33 and ×12). The monthly FMR is HUD's published value. Verify on huduser.gov.
What this FMR means
Fair Market Rent is HUD's estimate of the 40th-percentile gross rent — contract rent plus tenant-paid utilities — for a modest, non-luxury unit in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI. It is recalculated each fiscal year from American Community Survey rent data and a current-year inflation factor. Public housing agencies use the FMR to set Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) payment standards, typically 90–110% of the FMR. A higher FMR means the program will cover a higher rent in this area; it does not mean landlords charge exactly this much.
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI vs its state and the US
| Benchmark | 2-bedroom FMR |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $1,338 |
| Wisconsin state median | $975 |
| US national median | $975 |
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI sits in Wisconsin, where the median area's 2-bedroom FMR is $975 and areas range from $973 to $1,709.
Metro areas with a similar FMR
The five areas closest to Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI on the 2-bedroom FMR scale:
| Metro area | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI (this area) | $1,027 | $1,119 | $1,338 | $1,648 | $1,784 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $1,105 | $1,139 | $1,343 | $1,640 | $1,869 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $964 | $1,113 | $1,331 | $1,701 | $1,996 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $958 | $1,051 | $1,353 | $1,785 | $1,976 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $1,095 | $1,197 | $1,358 | $1,769 | $2,103 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | $1,090 | $1,148 | $1,368 | $1,813 | $2,046 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI MSA is $1,338 per month. FMR is the 40th-percentile gross rent (including utilities) HUD uses to set Housing Choice Voucher payment standards — it is not the local market median. Verify the current figure at huduser.gov.
What are the FMRs for other bedroom sizes in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
In FY2026 the FMRs are $1,027 (studio), $1,119 (1-bedroom), $1,338 (2-bedroom), $1,648 (3-bedroom) and $1,784 (4-bedroom) per month. Larger units have higher FMRs because they assume more bedrooms and occupants.
Is rent in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI high compared with the rest of the US?
Its 2-bedroom FMR of $1,338 is $363 above the national median FMR of $975 (+37%) — well above the national median FMR. Among the 75 largest metros it ranks #64 of 75 by 2-bedroom FMR (1 = most expensive).
Does the FMR mean my voucher will cover that much rent?
Not exactly. The local public housing agency (PHA) sets a "payment standard" usually between 90% and 110% of the FMR, and your subsidy is based on that standard minus roughly 30% of your adjusted income. The FMR is the benchmark, not a guaranteed amount — check with the PHA that serves Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI.
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Source & accuracy
FY2026 Fair Market Rents, U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development — HUD USER (public domain). FMR is the federal voucher rent standard, not the market median. Figures are a June 2026 snapshot of HUD's revised final FY2026 file; verify the current value on huduser.gov before relying on it.
Last updated: 2026-06-20