Apartments for Rent in Madison, WI (1,677 Rentals)

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The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

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Madison's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about Madison and the best places to live with original content written by our Local Expert Mike Heuer

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Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

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How a Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit

Learn How a Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit from the Renter University at AparmentHomeLiving.com.

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Madison, WI Local Guide

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Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

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Madison Overview

It is hard to find a more All-American city than Madison, beautifully situated on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. Madison is the second largest city in Wisconsin, behind Milwaukee, and is the state capital as well as home of the well-respected University of Wisconsin-Madison. Madison is clean and well-laid out with a low unemployment rate and low crime rate that makes it a great place to live and work for both families and young professionals. From farmers markets to festivals to sports to arts and recreation Madison offers something for everybody to enjoy. More than half a million people live in homes and apartments in Madison and the surrounding metro area.

What is the history of Madison?

Madison was chosen as the capital of the Wisconsin Territory in 1836 before the town was even laid out. The site was chosen for its crossroads nature between the then populated areas. Named for the fourth President James Madison, who died in 1836, the capitol cornerstone was laid in 1837. Madison was incorporated as a village in 1846. Madison remained the capital when Wisconsin became a state in 1848 and the next year the first University of Wisconsin class met in Madison.

How is the weather in Madison?

You will want to bundle up in the winter in Madison where average snowfall is almost 40 inches a year and wind from the lakes can make it seem very chilly. The trade off is summer temperatures, which can be a bit muggy, but usually only hit the low 80s.

How do I get around town?

There are enough apartments in Madison near the University of Madison-Wisconsin bus routes that many students and university staffers get by without having a car. Many Madison residents use bikes to get around in all weather with a well-maintained network of paths. The nearest passenger train station is in Columbus, Wisconsin 28 miles away and four major airlines fly in and out of the local Dane County Regional Airport though some choose to fly into Chicago's O'Hare airport which is 134 miles from Madison.

What is the Madison commute like?

"Madison is bit like the Rome as it seems all roads lead to Madison with the city at the crossroads of the I-30, I-90 and I-94 interstates as well as connecting U.S. Routes US-12, US-14, US-18, US-51 and US-151. The 6-to-8 lane ""Beltline"" on the south and west side of Madison is the main artery for commuters headed downtown from the southeast and western suburbs. The average commute time in Madison is around 20 minutes."

What are the local media outlets?

"The Wisconsin State Journal is Madison's daily newspaper. Madison has five commercial television stations (WISC-TV CBS, WMTV-TV NBC , WKOW-TV ABC, WMSN-TV FOX, WBUW-TV CW and WHA-TV PBS). Madison is home to one of the first public radio stations with ""Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know?"" taped live at the WPR studios."

Why live in Madison, WI?

"In Madison you get the best of two worlds with the city the center of Wisconsin state politics and also the benefits of living in a ""college town"". Both the state government and the University of Wisconsin-Madison provide good job opportunities to residents. Madison has one of the highest concentrations of college grads in the country making it a ""smart city"" to live in. Madison promotes a healthy lifestyle with year-round recreation activities from ice skating and cross-country skiing in the winter to boating and hiking in the summer. Madison is home to a vibrant music and performing arts scene. No matter what you like to do for fun and adventure, Madison apartments make an excellent place to call home!"

What Madison landmarks should I see?

"The Wisconsin State Capitol dome is Madison's most well-known building, situated on the highest point of the isthmus and modeled after the United States Capitol. Great American architect Frank Lloyd Wright grew up in Madison and he designed the Usonian House and the Unitarian Meeting House in the city. Madison is called ""The City of the Four Lakes"" for its four surrounding lakes which serve as local landmarks: Kegonsa, Waubesa, Monona and Mendota."

What is there to do around Madison?

The Obrich Botanical Gardens and Henry Vilas Zoo are must visit spots for tourists along with the Wisconsin State Capitol and adjacent Capitol Square. Locals can be found at the colorful and crowded Madison Farmer's Market on weekends. The Wisconsin Veterans Museum and Chazen Museum of Art are both free to the public. Entertainment venues include the Overture Center For the Arts, The Kohl Center, the Orpheum Theatre and the Majestic Theatre.

Any annual festivals or Madison events to know?

The popular Madison craft beer festival, Great Taste of the Midwest. is held yearly in August and the usually soldout event is one of the oldest craft beer festivals in the United States. In April Madison hosts the Wisconsin Film Festival, a five-day event sponsored by The University of Wisconsin-Madison Arts Institute. In the summer Madison features many music festivals such as the Waterfront Festival, Atwood Summerfest, the Willy St. Fair, and the Isthmus Jazz Festival.

Where are the nearby vacation spots?

"Madison residents don't need to leave home to vacation with the four lakes in their backyard but 45 minutes north is the Wisconsin Dells, a giant amusement park known as the ""The Water Park Capital of the World"". A two-hour drive north is the outdoor playground of Wisconsin Rapids. "

Where is the best place to move in Madison?

There are plenty of neighborhoods to choose from for your next apartment in Madison. Young professionals have made First Settlement, Marquette, Dudgeon-Monroe and Bay Creek hip neighborhoods to live in downtown. Students and faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison prefer the neighborhoods of the Vilas, Wil-Mar, Capitol and Bassett. Madison magazine picked the following neighborhoods as a great place to live: Westmorland, University Heights, Tenny-Lapham and Schenk-Atwood. There are so many neighborhoods with charm and character to choose from in Madison including Hawks Landing, Nakoma, Old Sauk, Shorewood Hills, Bramm's Addision, Hills Farm University and Midvale Heights.

Home to a wide variety of culture, nightlife and eclectic neighborhoods, Madison apartments offer a great mix of big city excitement and small town charm. From art galleries to world-class dining, this Wisconsin destination has a well-earned reputation as a mid-west hot spot.

It's our goal to become your ultimate go-to source for apartments in Madison, WI. Search from our extensive listings and connect with your ultimate new apartment today!

Take an afternoon to peruse the exhibits at the Chazen Museum of Art, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Madison Children's Museum, pursue some higher education at Concordia University, and experience a romantic meal at Gasthaus German Restaurant or El Manitial.

So regardless of whether you're already a resident of the great state of Wisconsin or simply considering a move, we're confident that we can assist you in finding the ultimate Madison apartment! Start your search from our extensive listings today!

Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Madison, WI

Ranked #1

Among cities in Wisconsin for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

2.5
Pet Friendly

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Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore Madison, WI Rentals by Map

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See the most popular apartments and homes in Madison, WI

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Getting Around Madison, WI

Walk Score®

59 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

69 / 100

Bikeable

Some bike infrastructure

Transit Score®

35 / 100

Some Transit

A few nearby public transportation options

What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?

  • Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
  • Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
  • Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Frequently Asked Questions about Madison

How much are Studio apartments in Madison?

There are currently 367 Studio Apartments in Madison with rent ranges from $845 to $4,265 with an average price of $1,539.

What is the current price range for One Bedroom Madison Apartments for rent?

Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in Madison ranges from $565 to $4,625 with an average monthly rent of $1,748.

What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in Madison cost?

The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in Madison range from $747 to $7,000. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $2,181.

How expensive are Madison Three Bedroom Apartments?

There are currently 347 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in Madison on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $730 to $6,345 - averaging $2,467 for the location.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

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Experts Guide To 10 Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent in Madison

Written by: Mike Heuer

I’m Mike, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for Madison, Wisconsin. I lived and worked in Madison for several years before career opportunities took me elsewhere.

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Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

Written by: Cheryl Bowman

A fantastic way to save money and enjoy a built-in community is to share an apartment. However, a bad roommate situation can turn your dream rental into a nightmare.

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The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Written by: Marie Brown

You’ve scrolled through countless listings, walked through a blur of rentals, and finally found what feels like the one. The pictures? Fantastic. The neighborhood seems just right.

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Know Your Budget: Calculating What You Can Realistically Afford When Renting

Written by: Lauren Harrington

Renting an apartment or house isn’t just about looking through online ads, choosing a few apartments or homes you want to tour, filling out an application, and putting down a deposit. Those things are all necessary and important.