Cheap Apartments for Rent in Madison, WI from $400 (759 Rentals)

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Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

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Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

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property at 1302 Mound St

1302 Mound St

MadisonWI53715

Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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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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Madison, WI Local Guide

Photo of Justin Habersaat - Editing Staff
Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Madison, WI

Pricing Updated: 12/01/2025

Current apartment rentals in the Madison, WI area range in price from $513 to $12,000 with an overall median price of $4,192. The three Madison neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are South West Side at $1,000, Glacier Crossing at $641, and Liberty Square at $641. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Madison Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
South West Side$1,725$1,00099
Glacier Crossing$1,849$64146
Liberty Square$1,849$64177
Village View Heights$1,849$641100
Glen Oak Hills$2,010$641311
Sun Prairie Business Park$2,074$64151
Cherokee Park$2,075$1,045133
West Side$2,135$646199
Near East Side$2,175$89571
North Side$2,199$975381

Cheapest Available Madison Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Madison, WI is a 1 Bed unit found at Klassik in the Outer Verona neighborhood priced from $677. Village on Main has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 2 Beds apartment currently listed from $745. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Madison apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Klassik1x11BR,1BA$677
Village on Main2 Bedroom A2BR,1BA$745
Oakridge ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$800
Uno Terrace3x23BR,2BA$884
106 S Hancock StStudioStudio,1BA$890
Nature Valley ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$895
632 Howard Place632 Howard Place - 304Studio,1BA$895
Gargano Propertiesone1BR,1BA$900
Normandy Square 55+One Bedroom (Income Restricted 40%)1BR,1BA$922

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Madison, WI

As of December 02, 2025 the best value apartment in the Madison area is the $0.41 price per square foot 3x2TH-MKT Model at Prairie Creek in the starting from $2,065. The second greatest value Madison apartment is the 9 Obrien Ct Model at 9 Obrien Ct, Unit 09 O’Brien starting at $2,295 with a $0.96 price per square foot in the East Side neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Madison apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Prairie Creek3x2TH-MKT3BR,2BA$0.41
9 Obrien Ct, Unit 09 O’Brien9 Obrien Ct4BR,1.5BA$0.96
Whitcomb Square Senior Apartment Homes (55+)2 Bedroom2BR,2BA$0.90
514 E Johnson St, Unit 2514 E Johnson St3BR,1BA$1.00
Gargano Propertiesone1BR,1BA$0.88
345 W Doty St, Unit 2345 W Doty St2BR,1BA$0.78
Collegiate Campus Student ApartmentsEntire 3BR-2BA Unit ($1,145/BR) - Limited-Tim3BR,2BA$0.86
1026 W Badger Rd, Unit # 21026 W Badger Rd2BR,1BA$1.01
Executive East Apartments1 Bedroom/1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$1.16
Klassik1x11BR,1BA$0.94

Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.

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Quick Rent Budget Calculator

How much rent can you afford?

The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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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.

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!"

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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Madison, WI Apartments Map
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Madison, WI Rental Homes Map

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 Cheap Madison Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Madison?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Madison is under $922.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Madison?

The cheapest apartment in Madison is Klassik which is listed at $677, while the average apartment in Madison costs $4,192.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Madison?

Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 4,688 regular apartments in Madison that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Madison?

Cheap apartments in Madison have an average cost of $456 which is $3,736 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Madison.

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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Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Back in the day when I rented one of my first apartments, the property didn’t even have laundry in the building. Now, rental properties are often competing against each other to provide the best amenities.

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How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Everything is a negotiation in real estate! 

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The Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist: A Guide for Renters

Written by: Trey Huguley

The move-in inspection checklist is a crucial tool for both tenants and landlords. This checklist, provided by the team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com, helps document the condition of an apartment at the time of move-in.