Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Milwaukee Neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI from $500 (413 Rentals)

How Many Bedrooms?Done
Select your price rangeDone
to
Note: Properties with the Total Monthly Price badge include all required fees. Hover over the badge for details.
Lifestyle Matching SearchDone
Learn more about Lifestyle Search
By AmenitiesDone
By Community TypeDone
Features and AvailabilityDone
Done

Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown Milwaukee area of Milwaukee.

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

Read Article

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.

Read Article

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.

Read Article

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.

Read Article

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

Read Article
Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 9

Downtown Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI Local Guide

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 RW Apartments I and II priced from $559. Fairmount Apartments has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $695. Here are the most affordable Downtown Milwaukee apartments for rent in Milwaukee, WI:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
RW Apartments I and II1x1 683sf1BR,1BA$559
Fairmount ApartmentsEfficiencyStudio,1BA$695
Lakeside ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$695
The Astor Hotel ApartmentsEfficiency StudioStudio,1BA$700
Buckingham ApartmentsSmall StudioStudio,1BA$725
Colonial ApartmentsStudio *StandardStudio,1BA$725
St. ClairStudioStudio,1BA$725
The Park at 1824 Student ApartmentsRenovated 3 Bedroom Apartment3BR,2BA$750
Marshall Hall ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$750
1417 N. Prospect Avenue1417 StudiosStudio,1BA$785

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Milwaukee, WI

As of June 13, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Milwaukee area is the $0.56 price per square foot 912 W Hadley St Model at 912 W Hadley St, Unit 1 in the in the Haymarket neighborhood starting from $1,250. The second greatest value Downtown Milwaukee apartment is the 2738 N Murray Ave Model at 2738 N Murray Ave, Unit 2738 starting at $1,800 with a $1.00 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 ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
912 W Hadley St, Unit 1912 W Hadley St2BR,1BA$0.56
2738 N Murray Ave, Unit 27382738 N Murray Ave3BR,1BA$1.00
2611-2613 N Stowell Ave3 Bedroom3BR,1.5BA$1.31
2457 N 1st St, Unit front rear unit2457 N 1st St2BR,1BA$0.60
2945 N Frederick Ave, Unit Upper flat2945 N Frederick Ave3BR,1BA$1.16
Riverside Lofts2B2BR,1BA$1.33
Edgeview ApartmentsTwo Bedroom2BR,1BA$0.88
2911 N 9th St, Unit 2911-A2911 N 9th St2BR,1BA$1.13
The Park at 1824 Student ApartmentsRenovated 2 Bedroom Apartment2BR,1BA$1.27
1851 N Pulaski St, Unit B1851 N Pulaski St1BR,1BA$1.30

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 Article
Decorative image

Real 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 Article
Decorative image

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.

decorative image of people with a giant lease agreement

Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Downtown Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI

Ranked #6

Among cities in Wisconsin for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

decorative image of woman handing cat to small boy

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 $785.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Milwaukee?

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Milwaukee is RW Apartments I and II which is listed at $559, while the average apartment in Downtown Milwaukee costs $2,725.

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 19 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 $330 which is $2,395 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

decorative image for Finding The Best Affordable Milwaukee Neighborhoods to Rent article

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.

decorative image for The Top Neighborhoods for Off-Campus Housing for Milwaukee-Area College Students article

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.

decorative image for A Local Experts Guide to Milwaukee: Neighborhoods, Traditions, and the Cozy Spirit of Gemütlichkeit article

A Local Experts 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.

decorative image for An Insiders Guide to Apartment Living Near Milwaukee's Four Employer Clusters article

An Insiders 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.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

decorative image for How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide article

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.

decorative image for Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move article

Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

For so many of us, pets are the best companions and a big part of our lives. For this reason, a pet-friendly house or apartment is often a very important - and nonnegotiable - part of a move.

decorative image for Creative Ways Developers Reimagine Retail Spaces as Residential Units article

Creative Ways Developers Reimagine Retail Spaces as Residential Units

Written by: Robin Stewart

Adaptive reuse is when a commercial property is converted and repurposed. The real estate industry has embraced a growing number of these projects.

decorative image for Neighborhood and Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent article

Neighborhood and Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent

Written by: Robin Stewart

Apartment-hunting can be a gargantuan task. Renters have a wish list of items—some luxuries, some necessities—but finding what you seek in the right place is perhaps the most important part of the journey.