
Cheap Homes for Rent in the Downtown Madison Neighborhood of Madison, WI from $500 (13 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Homes available for rent right now in the Downtown Madison area of Madison.


454 W Dayton St

454 W Dayton St, Unit 104

454 W Dayton St, Unit 115

111 S Bassett St, Unit 202

1975 E Washington Ave
Finding Your Place in Madison: Neighborhoods Close to the City’s Biggest Jobs
Finding the right Madison apartment near work is easy. Browse our guide to the best neighborhoods for professionals, from State-Langdon to Bay Creek.

2108 E Washington Ave, Unit 2108.5

454 W Dayton St

402 W Dayton St, Unit 108

402 W Dayton St, Unit 107

402 W Dayton St, Unit 111

402 W Dayton St, Unit 102
Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

930 Emerald St
Downtown Madison, Madison, WI Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent a home in Downtown Madison?
| Bedroom | Average Price | Cheapest Price | Highest Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Madison 2 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $2,324 | $1,550 | $3,300 |
| Downtown Madison 3 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $2,953 | $2,050 | $4,250 |
| Downtown Madison 4 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $2,797 | $2,100 | $3,495 |
Browse Homes for Rent in this Neighborhood
There are currently 13 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Downtown Madison Neighborhood of Madison, WI.
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Downtown Madison, Madison, WI Local Guide
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Cheapest Available Downtown Madison Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Madison area of Madison, WI is a Studio unit found at 45 N Orchard St priced from $750. The Post has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $759. Here are the most affordable Downtown Madison apartments for rent in Madison, WI:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 N Orchard St | 0x1-200 | Studio,1BA | $750 |
| The Post | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $759 |
| The Shield | A2 | 1BR,1BA | $842 |
| 8Twenty Park | 1 Bed- 50% | 1BR,1BA | $867 |
| 1315 Spring St | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $899 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Madison, WI
As of July 20, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Madison area is the $0.44 price per square foot 4 Bed 2 Bath Model at 111 E Gorham St in the in the The Isthmus neighborhood starting from $700. The second greatest value Downtown Madison apartment is the Bedroom (Shared) Model at Pres House Apartments starting at $1,700 with a $1.37 price per square foot in the Downtown Madison neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Madison apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 111 E Gorham St | 4 Bed 2 Bath | 4BR,2BA | $0.44 |
| Pres House Apartments | Bedroom (Shared) | 4BR,2BA | $1.37 |
| Chapter at Madison | 4BR/3BA - D1 | 4BR,3BA | $0.81 |
| 916 E Gorham St | 3BR/1.0BA | 3BR,1BA | $1.41 |
| Park Cedar Apartments | Two Bedroom, One Bath | 2BR,1BA | $1.47 |
| SEVEN27 at the Yards | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $1.46 |
| 1027 Drake St, Unit #2 | 1027 Drake St | 1BR,1BA | $1.55 |
| Varsity Campus Apartments | 4-Bedroom, 2-Bath | 4BR,2BA | $1.18 |
| Humbucker Apartments | 2x1-790 | 2BR,1BA | $1.39 |
| The Shield | A2 | 1BR,1BA | $1.18 |
Lakeshore to Lecture Hall: Finding Your Perfect Student Apartment in Madison, WI
Discover the best student housing neighborhoods for renting in Madison, Wisconsin! This guide covers apartments near the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Edgewood University, Herzing University, and Madison Area Technical College, detailing locations like Regent, Shorewood Hills, Dudgeon-Monroe, and more for your perfect college home.
Read ArticleDon'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.
Read ArticleReal Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University
From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.
Read ArticleQuick 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.
Pet Friendly LifestyleDowntown Madison, Madison, WI
Ranked #6
Among cities in Wisconsin for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
4.0Pet Friendly
Frequently Asked Questions about Downtown Madison
What type of rentals are currently available in Downtown Madison?
There are currently 665 Apartments for Rent in Downtown Madison, WI with pricing that ranges from $590 to $14,130. There are also 52 Single Family Homes for rent, Condos, and Townhome rentals currently available in Downtown Madison ranging from $599 to $4,250.
What is the current price range for Rental Homes in Downtown Madison?
Today's rental pricing for Homes for Rent, Condos and Townhomes in Downtown Madison ranges from $599 to $4,250 with an average monthly rent of $2,389.
How much are larger Three and Four Bedroom Rentals in Downtown Madison?
For those who are looking for larger living arrangements, Three Bedroom Apartments in Downtown Madison range from $965 to $14,130, while Three Bedroom Homes, Condos, and Townhomes for rent range from $2,050 to $4,250. Four Bedroom Single-Family rentals are also available starting from $2,100 and Four Bedroom Apartments start at $938.
Expert Rental Resources
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.
Helpful Local Expert Guides

Finding Your Place in Madison: Neighborhoods Close to the Citys Biggest Jobs
Written by: Mike Heuer
Madison, Wisconsin, is three communities in one. It is a college town that is home to the flagship university in the University of Wisconsin system.

An Insider's Guide to 6 Reasons Why Locals Love Renting in Madison, Wisconsin
Written by: Mike Heuer
Madison is Wisconsin’s capital city and its second-largest city, with a population of more than 260,000.

Lakeshore to Lecture Hall: Finding Your Perfect Student Apartment in Madison, WI
Written by: Mike Heuer
I am Mike, your guide to student housing in the Greater Madison, Wisconsin, area. Madison is a terrific city that also is the Capital of Wisconsin.

The Expert's 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.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Written by: Robin Stewart
The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
Written by: Robin Stewart
Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention
Written by: Robin Stewart
There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide
Written by: Robin Stewart
Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.