Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Rusk County, Wisconsin
Rusk County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,014 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $874 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $19.50 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,014
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 19% less than in Wisconsin
- Typical rent
- $874
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 20% less than in Wisconsin
- Wage needed
- $19.50
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $40,560 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 43%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 2% less than in Wisconsin
Only here
Renting in Rusk County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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At $59,944, Rusk County ranks 3rd among the 72 counties in Wisconsin for the lowest typical household income.
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Nearby, in Sawyer County, the typical rent is $712: 19% less than in Rusk County ($874).
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12% of households in Rusk County have no internet at home, against 7% in Wisconsin.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
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 Rusk 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)
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $732 | $14.08 | $29,280 |
| 1 bedroom | $775 | $14.90 | $31,000 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,014 | $19.50 | $40,560 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,296 | $24.92 | $51,840 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,333 | $25.63 | $53,320 |
HUD area: Rusk 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 8 ZIP codes in Rusk County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,010 in 54530 to $1,420 in 54731. 4 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,014).
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)
| 54526 | Rusk County, WI | $740 | $790 | $1,030 | $1,320 | $1,350 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54530 | Price County, WI | $740 | $780 | $1,010 | $1,300 | $1,340 |
| 54530 | Rusk County, WI | $740 | $780 | $1,010 | $1,300 | $1,340 |
| 54563 | Rusk County, WI | $780 | $830 | $1,080 | $1,380 | $1,430 |
| 54731 | Rusk County, WI | $1,020 | $1,090 | $1,420 | $1,810 | $1,870 |
| 54819 | Rusk County, WI | $730 | $780 | $1,010 | $1,310 | $1,340 |
| 54848 | Rusk County, WI | $730 | $780 | $1,010 | $1,310 | $1,340 |
| 54895 | Rusk County, WI | $740 | $780 | $1,020 | $1,300 | $1,340 |
- 54526 · Rusk County, WI $1,030$1,320
- 54530 · Price County, WI $1,010$1,300
- 54530 · Rusk County, WI $1,010$1,300
- 54563 · Rusk County, WI $1,080$1,380
- 54731 · Rusk County, WI $1,420$1,810
- 54819 · Rusk County, WI $1,010$1,310
- 54848 · Rusk County, WI $1,010$1,310
- 54895 · Rusk County, WI $1,020$1,300
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 Rusk County, 43% 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.
43%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
1,407 households rent in Rusk County
- Spend half or more of their income 26%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 17%
- Spend less than 30% 57%
Compared with the state and the country
- Rusk 43%
- Wisconsin 44%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Rusk County
HUD lists 10 properties with homes for low-income households in Rusk 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)
- 2
- HUD-assisted
- 7
- public housing
- 2
221 homes in all; 215 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Greenwood Manor Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 710 Miner Ave W, Ladysmith 54848 54 low-income homes · 1 bd: 38 · 2 bd: 11 · 3 bd: 5 · In service since 2015 · For families · (715) 532-6206
- Parkside Homes Public housing 503 S Coleman St, Bruce 54819 45 low-income homes · Run by Bruce Housing Authority · Average payment: $464 a month · Average wait: 5 months · (715) 868-4731
- Scattered Sites Public housing 705 E 4th St S, Ladysmith 54848 40 low-income homes · Run by Ladysmith Housing Authority · Average payment: $407 a month · Average wait: 32 months · Homes at several sites · (715) 532-7076
- Pine Bend Townhomes Tax credit (LIHTC) 1100 Baker Ave, Ladysmith 54848 24 homes, 22 low-income · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 10 · 3 bd: 10 · In service since 2001
- William Bechtel Villa HUD-assisted 1200 Baker Ave, Ladysmith 54848 12 low-income homes · For older adults · (800) 685-9353
- Tamarack Terrace Apartments HUD-assisted Main ST, Hawkins 54530 10 low-income homes · For older adults · (715) 532-6822
- Heuers Harbour Apartments HUD-assisted W14434 N Third St, Weyerhaueser 54895 12 homes, 8 low-income · For older adults · (715) 532-6822
- Hilltop Manor HUD-assisted Walnut ST, Bruce 54819 8 low-income homes · For older adults · (715) 532-6822
- Main Creek Villa HUD-assisted C19 Birch St, Conrath 54731 8 low-income homes · For older adults · (800) 685-9353
- Norman Kahl Apartments HUD-assisted 516 Lindoo Ave E, Ladysmith 54848 8 low-income homes · For older adults · (715) 532-6822
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 Rusk County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 2 agencies serve in Rusk County. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
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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
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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
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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 | $20,200 | $33,600 | $53,800 |
| 2 people | $23,050 | $38,400 | $61,450 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $43,200 | $69,150 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $48,000 | $76,800 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $51,850 | $82,950 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $55,700 | $89,100 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $59,550 | $95,250 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $63,400 | $101,400 |
Area median income: $80,500. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Rusk County, WI. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $659 – $805
- 1 bedroom $698 – $853
- 2 bedrooms $913 – $1,115
- 3 bedrooms $1,166 – $1,426
- 4 bedrooms $1,200 – $1,466
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
- Bruce Housing Authority Public housing · 45 public housing units (715) 868-4731 Bruce Housing Authority: bhouse@brucetel.net
- Ladysmith Housing Authority Public housing · 40 public housing units (715) 532-7076 Ladysmith Housing Authority: judyopsal@centurytel.net
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 Rusk County
This is the nearest HUD-approved agency. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc
1 Better Way, Eau Claire · 51 miles away · Spanish
Also serves in American Sign Language (ASL) and Hmong.
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Homelessness services
- and 2 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Rusk 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
$2,028
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,014
- Security deposit
- $1,014
- Total
- $2,028
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 Rusk County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $732; 1 bedroom: $775; 2 bedrooms: $1,014; 3 bedrooms: $1,296; 4 bedrooms: $1,333. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Rusk County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,014) without spending more than 30% of income takes $19.50 an hour full time, or $40,560 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Rusk County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $48,000 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 Rusk 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 $913 and $1,115 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Rusk County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,010 in 54530 to $1,420 in 54731. 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 Rusk County?
HUD lists 10 properties with homes for low-income households in Rusk 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 Rusk County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Rusk County, 43% of renter households are in that position; in Wisconsin, 44%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).