Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Jefferson County, Wisconsin
Jefferson County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,209 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,035 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $23.25 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,209
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 3% less than in Wisconsin
- Typical rent
- $1,035
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 5% less than in Wisconsin
- Wage needed
- $23.25
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $48,360 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 39%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 11% less than in Wisconsin
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in Jefferson County. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
According to Zillow (ZORI), the typical asking rent in Jefferson County was $1,315 a month in September 2026: 6.8% more than 12 months ago. It is an index of market listings, not a HUD limit. Zillow data
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $842 | $16.19 | $33,680 |
| 1 bedroom | $958 | $18.42 | $38,320 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,209 | $23.25 | $48,360 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,635 | $31.44 | $65,400 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,652 | $31.77 | $66,080 |
HUD area: Jefferson County, WI. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 18 ZIP codes in Jefferson County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,090 in 53156 to $1,530 in 53594. 12 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,209).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 53036 | Dodge County, WI | $950 | $1,080 | $1,360 | $1,830 | $1,850 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53036 | Jefferson County, WI | $950 | $1,080 | $1,360 | $1,830 | $1,850 |
| 53036 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $950 | $1,080 | $1,360 | $1,830 | $1,850 |
| 53038 | Jefferson County, WI | $970 | $1,100 | $1,390 | $1,880 | $1,900 |
| 53094 | Dodge County, WI | $840 | $950 | $1,200 | $1,620 | $1,640 |
| 53094 | Jefferson County, WI | $840 | $950 | $1,200 | $1,620 | $1,640 |
| 53137 | Jefferson County, WI | $880 | $1,000 | $1,260 | $1,700 | $1,720 |
| 53156 | Jefferson County, WI | $750 | $830 | $1,090 | $1,380 | $1,770 |
| 53156 | Walworth County, WI | $750 | $830 | $1,090 | $1,380 | $1,770 |
| 53178 | Jefferson County, WI | $930 | $1,040 | $1,310 | $1,770 | $1,790 |
| 53178 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $930 | $1,040 | $1,310 | $1,770 | $1,790 |
| 53538 | Janesville-Beloit, WI | $820 | $940 | $1,180 | $1,600 | $1,610 |
| 53538 | Jefferson County, WI | $820 | $940 | $1,180 | $1,600 | $1,610 |
| 53549 | Jefferson County, WI | $850 | $970 | $1,220 | $1,650 | $1,670 |
| 53551 | Jefferson County, WI | $920 | $1,050 | $1,320 | $1,790 | $1,800 |
| 53594 | Dodge County, WI | $1,150 | $1,340 | $1,530 | $2,020 | $2,260 |
| 53594 | Jefferson County, WI | $1,150 | $1,340 | $1,530 | $2,020 | $2,260 |
| 53594 | Madison, WI | $1,150 | $1,340 | $1,530 | $2,020 | $2,260 |
- 53036 · Dodge County, WI $1,360$1,830
- 53036 · Jefferson County, WI $1,360$1,830
- 53036 · Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $1,360$1,830
- 53038 · Jefferson County, WI $1,390$1,880
- 53094 · Dodge County, WI $1,200$1,620
- 53094 · Jefferson County, WI $1,200$1,620
- 53137 · Jefferson County, WI $1,260$1,700
- 53156 · Jefferson County, WI $1,090$1,380
- 53156 · Walworth County, WI $1,090$1,380
- 53178 · Jefferson County, WI $1,310$1,770
- 53178 · Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $1,310$1,770
- 53538 · Janesville-Beloit, WI $1,180$1,600
- 53538 · Jefferson County, WI $1,180$1,600
- 53549 · Jefferson County, WI $1,220$1,650
- 53551 · Jefferson County, WI $1,320$1,790
- 53594 · Dodge County, WI $1,530$2,020
- 53594 · Jefferson County, WI $1,530$2,020
- 53594 · Madison, WI $1,530$2,020
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Jefferson County, 39% of renter households are in that position; in Wisconsin, 44%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
39%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
9,371 households rent in Jefferson County
- Spend half or more of their income 21%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 18%
- Spend less than 30% 61%
Compared with the state and the country
- Jefferson 39%
- Wisconsin 44%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Jefferson County
HUD lists 25 properties with homes for low-income households in Jefferson County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 11
- HUD-assisted
- 12
- public housing
- 3
1,289 homes in all; 962 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Watertown East I & II HUD-assisted 1155 Boughton St, Watertown 53094 136 homes, 133 low-income · For families · (920) 206-8541
- Parkview Apts and Rockland Court HUD-assisted 1028 East St, Fort Atkinson 53538 83 homes, 82 low-income · For older adults · (414) 228-1122
- Johnson Arms & Scat Sites Public housing 201 N Water St, Watertown 53094 80 homes, 78 low-income · Run by Watertown Housing Authority · Average payment: $511 a month · Average wait: 29 months · Homes at several sites · (920) 261-7795
- Riverview Romeis LLC Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 217 S Water St E, Fort Atkinson 53538 184 homes, 76 low-income · 1 bd: 169 · 2 bd: 1 · 3 bd: 14 · In service since 2007 · For older adults · (920) 568-8862
- Rock Lake Manor Public housing 228 Water St, Lake Mills 53551 63 low-income homes · Run by Lake Mills Housing Authority · Average payment: $473 a month · (920) 648-5064
- River Crest & Scat Sites Public housing 431 N Elizabeth Ave, Jefferson 53549 62 low-income homes · Run by Jefferson Housing Authority · Average payment: $591 a month · Average wait: 76 months · Homes at several sites · (920) 674-5294
- Watertown East III HUD-assisted 1153 Boughton St, Watertown 53094 56 low-income homes · For families · (920) 206-8541
- Rockwell Court Apts HUD-assisted 52 Spry Ave, Fort Atkinson 53538 64 homes, 54 low-income · For families · (920) 691-0163
- Riverview Commons HUD-assisted 112 Stimpson St, Watertown 53094 51 homes, 50 low-income · For older adults · (763) 354-5500
- Jefferson Senior Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 203 N Jackson Ave, Jefferson 53549 49 low-income homes · 1 bd: 32 · 2 bd: 17 · In service since 1997
- Jefferson Oaks West Apartments HUD-assisted 612 Collins Rd, Jefferson 53549 40 low-income homes · For families · (920) 674-4450
- Blackhawk Ridge Senior Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 252 W Blackhawk Dr, Fort Atkinson 53538 36 homes, 33 low-income · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 24 · In service since 1999
- School House Apts (jefferson) Tax credit (LIHTC) 201 S Copeland Ave, Jefferson 53549 35 homes, 30 low-income · 1 bd: 21 · 2 bd: 14 · In service since 2001
- Alverno Housing HUD-assisted 128 S Kranz Ave, Jefferson 53549 36 homes, 26 low-income · For people with disabilities · (262) 798-9509
- Hawthorne Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1085 Jaystone Ter, Waterloo 53594 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 18 · 2 bd: 6 · In service since 1997
- North Pointe Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 320 W Blackhawk Dr, Fort Atkinson 53538 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 1998
- Orchard Hollow Apartments HUD-assisted 1015 Collins Rd, Jefferson 53549 19 low-income homes · For older adults · (920) 674-2180
- Lake Mills Town Homes Tax credit (LIHTC) 809 Cherokee Path, Lake Mills 53551 17 low-income homes · 3 bd: 17 · In service since 1994
- The Globe Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 201 S Water St, Watertown 53094 48 homes, 10 low-income · 2 bd: 35 · 3 bd: 13 · In service since 2014
- Tau Crossing I HUD-assisted 621 E Theodore St, Jefferson 53549 10 homes, 8 low-income · For people with disabilities · (920) 674-8378
- Tau Crossing II HUD-assisted 640 E Theodore St, Jefferson 53549 10 homes, 8 low-income · For people with disabilities · (262) 798-1224
- River Mill SR Residences Tax credit (LIHTC) 317 S Water St, Watertown 53094 54 homes, 6 low-income · 1 bd: 40 · 2 bd: 14 · In service since 2010
- Jefferson Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 604 Collins Rd, Jefferson 53549 64 homes, 5 low-income · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 40 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 2010
- Monroe Street Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 217 N Monroe St, Waterloo 53594 24 homes, 5 low-income · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2015
- Rock View Apartments HUD-assisted 207 E Henry St, Jefferson 53549 20 homes, 4 low-income · For families · (888) 421-0880
One property has two programs at the same address and appears once. Search HUD's map
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in Jefferson County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 3 agencies serve in Jefferson County. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
-
You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
-
Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
-
Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
-
If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
-
When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
-
Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $23,450 | $39,100 | $62,550 |
| 2 people | $26,800 | $44,700 | $71,500 |
| 3 people | $30,150 | $50,300 | $80,450 |
| 4 people | $33,500 | $55,850 | $89,350 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $60,350 | $96,500 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $64,800 | $103,650 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $69,300 | $110,800 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $73,750 | $117,950 |
Area median income: $111,700. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Jefferson County, WI. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $758 – $926
- 1 bedroom $862 – $1,054
- 2 bedrooms $1,088 – $1,330
- 3 bedrooms $1,472 – $1,799
- 4 bedrooms $1,487 – $1,817
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
- Watertown Housing Authority Public housing · 78 public housing units (920) 261-7795 Watertown Housing Authority: tkasten@wttnhsg.org
- Lake Mills Housing Authority Public housing · 63 public housing units (920) 648-5064 Lake Mills Housing Authority: LMHA@rlmanor.net
- Jefferson Housing Authority Public housing · 62 public housing units (920) 674-5294 Jefferson Housing Authority: jhadirector@yahoo.com
Housing agencies in Wisconsin Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Wisconsin
What Wisconsin law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- When must they return my deposit?
- 21 days
- Wis. Stat. §704.28; Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06(2)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 5 days
- Wis. Stat. §704.17
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 28 days
- Wis. Stat. §704.19(3)
- Only a court order can remove youWis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(7)
- Protection from retaliationWis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(5)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Jefferson County
This HUD-approved agency has an office in Jefferson County. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Jefferson County at Home
874 Collins Rd, Jefferson
- Home improvement and repairs
- Pre-purchase counseling
- and 2 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Jefferson County. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in Wisconsin, the average home bill was $111 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$2,418
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,209
- Security deposit
- $1,209
- Total
- $2,418
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in Jefferson County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $842; 1 bedroom: $958; 2 bedrooms: $1,209; 3 bedrooms: $1,635; 4 bedrooms: $1,652. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Jefferson County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,209) without spending more than 30% of income takes $23.25 an hour full time, or $48,360 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Jefferson County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $55,850 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in Jefferson County?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $1,088 and $1,330 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Jefferson County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,090 in 53156 to $1,530 in 53594. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in Jefferson County?
HUD lists 25 properties with homes for low-income households in Jefferson County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in Jefferson County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Jefferson County, 39% of renter households are in that position; in Wisconsin, 44%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).