
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Milwaukee Neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI from $500 (345 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown Milwaukee area of Milwaukee.


RW Apartments I and II

Bronzeville Apartments

MLK Library Apartments

Fairmount Apartments

Lakeside Apartments

The Astor Hotel Apartments

Total Monthly Price
1124 E Wright St, Unit 1124

Humboldt Apartments

Buckingham Apartments
An Insider's Guide to Apartment Living Near Milwaukee's Four Employer Clusters
Discover Milwaukee apartment living from Downtown lofts to affordable suburban homes. We detail neighborhoods near the four major employment hubs: urban, leafy, and everything in between.

St. Clair

Colonial Apartments

Marshall Hall Apartments

East Park Apartments

Van Buren Apartments

The Shorecrest

Total Monthly Price
2582 N Cramer St

Fortress

1835 N 2nd St, Unit 25

1835 N 2nd St, Unit 29
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.

Total Monthly Price
Water Street Apartments

Edgeview Apartments

Claridge Hall

Royal Plaza Apartments

Lancaster Apartments

Marneau Apartments

City Place Apartments

Plaza

Cumberland Apartments

1317 E Albion St
A Local Expert's Guide to Milwaukee: Neighborhoods, Traditions, and the Cozy Spirit of Gemütlichkeit
Uncover Milwaukee's affordable, vibrant neighborhoods and down-to-earth charm. Get a local expert's take on the city's renaissance, favorite traditions, and famous Gemütlichkeit (cozy spirit).

2935 N Bremen St

Total Monthly Price
2457 N 1st St, Unit front upper 2457

Juneau Village Garden Apartments

2033 N Cambridge Ave

700 Lofts

Carillon Apartments

Charming Juneau Village Apartments!

Cambridge Manor

Harborside Apartments

Carlton Apartments
Check Out Milwaukee’s Best Affordable Neighborhoods
Learn about Milwaukee and the best places to live with original content written by our Local Expert Tim Brown

2536 N Richards St, Unit 1st floor

Michigan Street Commons

Prospective

The Empire Building

302 E Hadley St

Lake Crest Apartments

Total Monthly Price
1608 N Franklin Pl., Unit Upper

Prospect Heights

2407 N 6th St, Unit Rear Unit

2932 N Holton St
Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.
Downtown Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Downtown Milwaukee?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Milwaukee Studio Apartments | $1,392 | $675 | $4,157 |
| Downtown Milwaukee 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,816 | $559 | $4,371 |
| Downtown Milwaukee 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,638 | $627 | $8,164 |
| Downtown Milwaukee 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,088 | $749 | $10,000+ |
| Downtown Milwaukee 4 Bedroom Apartments | $4,031 | $1,400 | $10,000+ |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 345 rentals with your search options within a 1 mile radius of the Downtown Milwaukee Neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI.
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Downtown Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI Local Guide
- Nearby Milwaukee neighborhoods
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Cheapest Available Downtown Milwaukee Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Milwaukee area of Milwaukee, WI is a 1 Bed unit found at MLK Library Apartments priced from $560. Fairmount Apartments has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $675. Here are the most affordable Downtown Milwaukee apartments for rent in Milwaukee, WI:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLK Library Apartments | 1x1 | 1BR,1BA | $560 |
| Fairmount Apartments | Efficiency | Studio,1BA | $675 |
| Lakeside Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $695 |
| The Astor Hotel Apartments | Efficiency Studio | Studio,1BA | $700 |
| Buckingham Apartments | Small Studio | Studio,1BA | $725 |
| Colonial Apartments | Studio *Standard | Studio,1BA | $725 |
| Van Buren Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $795 |
| Marshall Hall Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $795 |
| 1417 N. Prospect Avenue | 1417 Studios | Studio,1BA | $795 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Milwaukee, WI
As of July 28, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Milwaukee area is the $1.20 price per square foot TownHome Model at Shepard Townhomes in the in the Downtown Milwaukee neighborhood starting from $3,295. The second greatest value Downtown Milwaukee apartment is the 912 W Hadley St Model at 912 W Hadley St, Unit 1 starting at $1,250 with a $0.56 price per square foot in the Haymarket neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Milwaukee apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shepard Townhomes | TownHome | 4BR,2.5BA | $1.20 |
| 912 W Hadley St, Unit 1 | 912 W Hadley St | 3BR,1BA | $0.56 |
| 2738 N Murray Ave, Unit 2738 | 2738 N Murray Ave | 3BR,1BA | $0.92 |
| San Rafael Apartments | 3BR/1.0BA | 3BR,1BA | $1.19 |
| 2457 N 1st St, Unit front upper unit 2457 | 2457 N 1st St | 2BR,1BA | $0.60 |
| The Germania | Two Bedroom | 2BR,1.5BA | $1.13 |
| The Park at 1824 Student Apartments | Renovated 3 Bedroom Apartment | 3BR,2BA | $0.95 |
| 2407 N 6th St, Unit Rear Lower Unit | 2407 N 6th St | 2BR,1BA | $1.11 |
| MLK Library Apartments | 1x1 | 1BR,1BA | $0.71 |
| Garage - 3035 N Downer Ave, Unit UWM - Garage spot | Garage - 3035 N Downer Ave | Studio ,0.5BA | $1.00 |
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.
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 Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Ranked #6
Among cities in Wisconsin for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
4.0Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in Downtown Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
School data provided by Great Schools
Lifestyle Ratings
ApartmentHomeLiving brings you our detailed rental analysis called 'Lifestyle Ratings' - a comparison of rentals in metropolitan areas across the United States, including Milwaukee. LifeStyle Ratings are a useful tool for comparing and sorting apartments and neighborhoods when choosing your rental home. This takes in many factors including searching for the best amenities, and outdoor amenities like tennis courts, kid and pet-friendly communities, availability of transit options, and much more. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Milwaukee Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Milwaukee?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Milwaukee is under $795.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Milwaukee?
The cheapest apartment in Downtown Milwaukee is MLK Library Apartments which is listed at $560, while the average apartment in Downtown Milwaukee costs $2,356.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown Milwaukee?
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 12 regular apartments in Downtown Milwaukee 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 Downtown Milwaukee?
Cheap apartments in Downtown Milwaukee have an average cost of $268 which is $2,088 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown Milwaukee.
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

An Insider's Guide to Apartment Living Near Milwaukee's Four Employer Clusters
Written by: Tim Brown
Having grown up in Milwaukee and lived in Waukesha for several years, I have come to realize that the Milwaukee metro area offers diverse employment and housing opportunities.

A Local Expert's Guide to Milwaukee: Neighborhoods, Traditions, and the Cozy Spirit of Gemütlichkeit
Written by: Tim Brown
I'm Tim, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Growing up in the city and then blocks outside the border, Milwaukee's neighborhoods have been home to friends and family for years.

The Top Neighborhoods for Off-Campus Housing for Milwaukee-Area College Students
Written by: Tim Brown
I'm Tim, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Growing up in the city and then blocks outside the border, many of the Milwaukee neighborhoods profiled here have been home to friends and family.

Finding The Best Affordable Milwaukee Neighborhoods to Rent
Written by: Tim Brown
I'm Tim, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Growing up in the city and then just blocks outside the border, many Milwaukee neighborhoods have been home to friends and family for many years.
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.