FMR Lookup › Wisconsin › Milwaukee-Waukesha
Section 8 Fair Market Rent in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI (FY2026)
HUD's official FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI MSA, by bedroom count. These figures set the baseline for what the Housing Choice Voucher program pays landlords in this area.
| Unit size | FY2026 FMR | Payment standard range (90–110%) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / efficiency | $1,027 | $924 – $1,130 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,119 | $1,007 – $1,231 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,338 | $1,204 – $1,472 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,648 | $1,483 – $1,813 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,784 | $1,606 – $1,962 |
Source: HUD User — FY 2026 Fair Market Rents. FY2026 FMRs are effective October 1, 2025. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
How this market compares
The 2-bedroom FMR here is $1,338 — 37% above the Wisconsin median of $975 across all 65 FMR areas in the state.
Counties and towns covered
The Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI FMR area is a metro area covering: Milwaukee County, Ozaukee County, Washington County, Waukesha County. One FMR applies across the whole area — HUD does not publish separate figures per city or ZIP here (some large metros have Small Area FMRs by ZIP; check with the local housing authority).
What a landlord actually collects
FMR is the baseline, not the contract rent. The local housing authority sets a payment standard between 90% and 110% of FMR (the range in the table above), and your unit must pass a rent-reasonableness comparison against similar unassisted rentals nearby. The voucher then covers the gap between the tenant's share (roughly 30% of their income) and the approved rent.
Run the numbers for a deal in Milwaukee-Waukesha: Section 8 vs market rent, DSCR, or cash-on-cash return.
Comparable Wisconsin markets by 2BR FMR
| FMR area | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha | $1,092 | $1,402 | $1,899 |
| Janesville-Beloit | $955 | $1,246 | $1,596 |
| Appleton | $960 | $1,236 | $1,701 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | $988 | $1,235 | $1,592 |
| Duluth | $978 | $1,232 | $1,689 |
| Walworth County | $919 | $1,206 | $1,517 |
Informational only — not financial, legal, or lending advice. Confirm current payment standards with the housing authority serving Milwaukee-Waukesha.