Wisconsin premium ZIP codes, ranked
| # | ZIP | Location | Voucher rent (2BR) | Voucher rent (3BR) | Typical market rent | Premium | Basis | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54446 | LoyalClark County | $1,020 | $1,300 | $600 | +70% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 2 | 54165 | SeymourOutagamie County | $1,120 | $1,550 | $815 | +37% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 3 | 54401 | WausauMarathon County | $1,240 | $1,620 | $907 | +37% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 4 | 54452 | MerrillLincoln County | $1,040 | $1,360 | $773 | +35% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 5 | 53203 | MilwaukeeMilwaukee County | $1,890 | $2,320 | $1,486 | +27% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 6 | 54603 | La CrosseLa Crosse County | $1,210 | $1,550 | $951 | +27% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 7 | 54751 | MenomonieDunn County | $1,540 | $2,040 | $1,221 | +26% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 8 | 54601 | La CrosseLa Crosse County | $1,400 | $1,790 | $1,111 | +26% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 9 | 53129 | GreendaleMilwaukee County | $1,350 | $1,660 | $1,073 | +26% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 10 | 53545 | JanesvilleRock County | $1,330 | $1,680 | $1,086 | +23% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 11 | 54701 | Eau ClaireEau Claire County | $1,290 | $1,740 | $1,059 | +22% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 12 | 53089 | LisbonWaukesha County | $1,490 | $1,830 | $1,228 | +21% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 13 | 54130 | KaukaunaOutagamie County | $1,230 | $1,700 | $1,018 | +21% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 14 | 53206 | MilwaukeeMilwaukee County | $1,210 | $1,490 | $1,011 | +20% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 15 | 53534 | EdgertonRock County | $1,530 | $2,020 | $1,283 | +19% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 16 | 54403 | WausauMarathon County | $1,220 | $1,590 | $1,032 | +18% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 17 | 54311 | BellevueBrown County | $1,390 | $1,830 | $1,186 | +17% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 18 | 53548 | JanesvilleRock County | $1,270 | $1,610 | $1,090 | +17% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 19 | 53083 | SheboyganSheboygan County | $1,300 | $1,550 | $1,124 | +16% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 20 | 54302 | Green BayBrown County | $1,130 | $1,490 | $980 | +15% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 21 | 54956 | NeenahWinnebago County | $1,380 | $1,860 | $1,215 | +14% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 22 | 54304 | AshwaubenonBrown County | $1,240 | $1,630 | $1,099 | +13% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 23 | 53572 | Blue MoundsDane County | $1,530 | $2,020 | $1,365 | +12% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 24 | 54703 | Eau ClaireEau Claire County | $1,280 | $1,720 | $1,142 | +12% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 25 | 53718 | MadisonDane County | $1,850 | $2,420 | $1,655 | +12% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 26 | 53233 | MilwaukeeMilwaukee County | $1,210 | $1,490 | $1,083 | +12% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 27 | 53719 | MadisonDane County | $1,810 | $2,370 | $1,627 | +11% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 28 | 54935 | Fond du LacFond du Lac County | $1,180 | $1,500 | $1,081 | +9% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 29 | 54650 | OnalaskaLa Crosse County | $1,510 | $1,930 | $1,390 | +9% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 30 | 53186 | WaukeshaWaukesha County | $1,430 | $1,760 | $1,321 | +8% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 31 | 53215 | MilwaukeeMilwaukee County | $1,210 | $1,490 | $1,119 | +8% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 32 | 53404 | RacineRacine County | $1,190 | $1,520 | $1,101 | +8% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 33 | 53713 | MadisonDane County | $1,530 | $2,020 | $1,415 | +8% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 34 | 53211 | ShorewoodMilwaukee County | $1,560 | $1,920 | $1,445 | +8% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 35 | 54720 | AltoonaEau Claire County | $1,450 | $1,950 | $1,355 | +7% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 36 | 53715 | MadisonDane County | $1,900 | $2,500 | $1,779 | +7% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 37 | 54301 | AllouezBrown County | $1,260 | $1,660 | $1,184 | +6% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 38 | 53074 | Port WashingtonOzaukee County | $1,210 | $1,490 | $1,140 | +6% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 39 | 53703 | MadisonDane County | $1,870 | $2,450 | $1,762 | +6% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 40 | 54880 | SuperiorDouglas County | $1,130 | $1,560 | $1,065 | +6% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 41 | 54303 | Green BayBrown County | $1,210 | $1,600 | $1,141 | +6% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 42 | 53172 | South MilwaukeeMilwaukee County | $1,210 | $1,490 | $1,148 | +5% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 43 | 53143 | KenoshaKenosha County | $1,480 | $2,010 | $1,408 | +5% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 44 | 53562 | MiddletonDane County | $1,630 | $2,130 | $1,554 | +5% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 45 | 53221 | MilwaukeeMilwaukee County | $1,320 | $1,620 | $1,266 | +4% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 46 | 53228 | GreenfieldMilwaukee County | $1,430 | $1,760 | $1,400 | +2% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 47 | 53150 | MuskegoWaukesha County | $1,410 | $1,740 | $1,384 | +2% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 48 | 54494 | Wisconsin RapidsWood County | $1,110 | $1,410 | $1,095 | +1% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 49 | 53714 | MadisonDane County | $1,530 | $2,020 | $1,511 | +1% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 50 | 54476 | WestonMarathon County | $1,230 | $1,610 | $1,214 | +1% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 51 | 54913 | AppletonOutagamie County | $1,520 | $2,100 | $1,503 | +1% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 52 | 53527 | Cottage GroveDane County | $1,760 | $2,320 | $1,745 | +1% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 53 | 54241 | Two RiversManitowoc County | $1,050 | $1,400 | $1,048 | +0% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
Premium compares the 2-bedroom voucher rent to the ZIP's typical asking rent across all home sizes. Rent data provided by Zillow Research.
How these numbers are calculated
- Voucher rent is the HUD FY2027 2-bedroom Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) where it applies, otherwise the county or metro Fair Market Rent. This is the basis housing authorities use to set payment standards, typically 90 to 110 percent of it, and it is a gross rent that includes a utility allowance.
- Typical market rent is the Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) for the ZIP code as of June 2026, a smoothed measure of asking rents across all home types and sizes. Rent data provided by Zillow Research.
- Premium compares the 2-bedroom voucher rent against that blended market figure, which is the conservative comparison. Premiums for 3 and 4 bedroom homes are often larger.
- The premium is a screening signal, not a guarantee. Housing authorities run a rent reasonableness review against unassisted comparables before approving any contract rent, and the payment standard is a ceiling, not an entitlement. Always verify with the local housing authority.
Sources: HUD Fair Market Rents and Zillow Research (ZORI). FMRs effective October 1 each year; ZORI updates monthly.
Frequently asked questions
- Which ZIP code in Wisconsin has the biggest Section 8 premium?
- 54446 (Loyal) currently shows the largest gap: the 2-bedroom voucher rent basis is $1,020 against a typical market rent of $600, a +70% premium.
- How many ZIP codes in Wisconsin pay above market rent?
- Of the 160 Wisconsin ZIP codes with both HUD and market rent data, 53 currently show a voucher rent basis above the typical asking rent.
- Can I actually charge the full amount shown here?
- Not automatically. The housing authority sets a payment standard between 90 and 110 percent of the FMR or SAFMR, and every lease passes a rent reasonableness review against comparable unassisted units. Treat the premium as a screening signal for where to look, then verify with the local housing authority.