Madison makes it easy to work a little outdoor time into an ordinary week. Lakes Mendota and Monona frame the downtown isthmus, and the city's shoreline paths offer plenty of reasons to take the scenic route. Wisconsin's capital is also home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, bringing campus life into the mix of government offices, restaurants, and neighborhood businesses. You might spend a Saturday at a farmers market or head toward the water after work.
Finding a place to enjoy that lifestyle starts with knowing where to look. The average rent in Madison is $1,509 per month, and several smaller neighborhoods fall below that figure. Some put a library and local dining close to home; others offer access to a large park or a useful bus connection. The five most affordable neighborhoods in Madison are:
Burr Oaks
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Average one-bedroom rent in Madison: $1,509/month
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Average rent in Burr Oaks: $1,179/month
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Average apartment size in Burr Oaks: 616 sq ft
Burr Oaks puts the practical side of South Madison close to home. Located about three miles south of downtown, the neighborhood includes houses and apartment communities near South Park Street, Fish Hatchery Road, and West Badger Road. The Villager shopping area provides a recognizable local center, while residential streets offer places to live a little removed from the main commercial corridor.
For renters, the concentration of everyday destinations gives Burr Oaks much of its appeal: a day here could include a class on campus at Madison College, a library stop, and dinner along South Park Street. Together, these places give renters several ways to become familiar with the neighborhood beyond their apartment building.
Things to Do in Burr Oaks
Start with the South Park Street corridor, where a few ordinary stops can become regular parts of your week. Goodman South Madison Library at 2222 South Park Street puts a library visit within the neighborhood's commercial area. Nearby, El Pastor serves Mexican dishes such as tacos and enchiladas, with takeout available for evenings when cooking can wait.
For outdoor recreation, nearby Penn Park on Fisher Street has basketball courts, a playground, and a lighted futsal court for small-sided soccer. These give residents places to meet for a game or spend some time outside without planning a major outing.
Seasonal shopping adds another reason to stay local. The city lists a South Madison Farmers' Market location at Villager Mall, where a produce stop can fit into an afternoon of errands. There, you'll find fresh produce on Fridays from June through October.
Transportation
Metro Transit Route B is a useful starting point. It serves Fish Hatchery Road, West Badger Road, and South Park Street, with service continuing toward UW-Madison's east campus and Capitol Square. Check the walk from each prospective apartment to the nearest stop; the same neighborhood can offer quite different daily commutes.
For drivers, South Park Street provides a route toward central Madison. The nearby Beltline supports trips across the south side and toward other parts of the metro area. Fish Hatchery Road also provides a connection toward Fitchburg. When touring, try the trip you expect to make most often, including any parking search at your destination.
Reindahl Park
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Average one-bedroom rent in Madison: $1,509/month
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Average rent in Reindahl Park: $1,186/month
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Average apartment size in Reindahl Park: 554 sq ft
Reindahl Park pairs apartment options with a large nearby recreation space in northeast Madison, near East Washington Avenue and Portage Road. Its namesake park is a standout landmark, with 90 acres of recreation space near a major route through the city.
The surrounding area includes apartment communities, smaller residential buildings, and commercial properties. This is a useful area to investigate if your regular destinations include Madison College, the East Washington corridor, or the East Towne shopping area.
Things to Do in Reindahl Park
Bring a racket, a soccer ball, or a picnic to the neighborhood's namesake park. Reindahl has tennis courts, courts striped for pickleball, and multipurpose athletic fields, so there are several ways to spend an afternoon outside. Its free splash park is another seasonal option during the warmer months. For renters who like casual recreation, having these facilities in one place makes it easier to build regular outdoor time into the week.
Reindahl Community Gardens offers a different way to spend time outdoors. The volunteer-run garden rents plots to local gardeners.
Nearby East Towne Mall adds shopping and dining options for a rainy afternoon or a weekend errand run. It is outside the park itself, but its location in the same northeast shopping area broadens the choices available close to home.
Transportation
East Washington Avenue is the main corridor to consider when comparing transportation options around Reindahl Park. Metro's Route A provides bus rapid transit service along the east-west corridor, including connections to Madison College, Capitol Square, and the UW-Madison area.
Drivers can use East Washington Avenue toward downtown or reach the interstate system on the northeast side. Portage Road provides local access to the park. For errands near East Towne, compare the driving, walking, and bus routes individually; they may take different paths through this area of large roads and shopping properties.
Bram's Addition
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Average one-bedroom rent in Madison: $1,509/month
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Average rent in Bram's Addition: $1,187/month
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Average apartment size in Bram's Addition: 618 sq ft
Bram's Addition is a small residential neighborhood about two miles south of downtown, near Lake Wingra and west of Alliant Energy Center. Houses make up much of the neighborhood, with apartments also available along its tree-lined streets. Its position near several parks makes it worth exploring if you want a residential setting with outdoor destinations close at hand.
A rental here can put you near the recreation spaces around Quann and Goodman parks. They are linked together by the Wingra Creek bike path. The Alliant Energy Center brings large events to this part of Madison, so consider both the convenience and the activity that comes with living nearby.
Things to Do in Bram's Addition
The Wingra Creek path is a natural place to start exploring the area on foot or by bike. Nearby Quann Park adds an off-leash dog area and a 12-court tennis complex.
Goodman Pool on West Olin Avenue offers swimming during its summer season, giving residents another nearby option for warm-weather recreation. Farther toward the lake, Olin Park has walking paths and views of downtown across Lake Monona.
Check Alliant Energy Center's calendar for larger outings. The complex hosts fairs, exhibitions, and other events, adding occasional entertainment options to a neighborhood whose everyday appeal centers on its residential streets and surrounding parks.
Transportation
Bram's Addition offers a useful combination of bus access and nearby paths. Metro Route B runs along South Park Street, connecting the area with Capitol Square and UW-Madison's east campus. Your walk to the bus will depend on where you rent within the neighborhood.
The Wingra Creek path provides another way to travel locally and reach the Olin Park area, where connections continue toward the lakefront. Drivers can use South Park Street and nearby routes to the Beltline for trips across town. Before choosing an apartment, compare the complete trip to work or school, including the path connection or bus stop you would actually use.
Hawthorne
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Average one-bedroom rent in Madison: $1,509/month
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Average rent in Hawthorne: $1,246/month
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Average apartment size in Hawthorne: 681 sq ft
Hawthorne's residential blocks include single-family houses and multifamily housing, with commercial and industrial properties in the surrounding area. For renters, Hawthorne's location offers a practical base for reaching east-side destinations.
Madison College's nearby Truax area and the East Washington corridor provide useful geographic reference points when assessing a commute. Current rental options also span established apartment properties and newer communities, giving you different layouts and amenities to compare.
Things to Do in Hawthorne
Hawthorne's recreation options extend into the surrounding east-side neighborhoods. Nearby Carpenter-Ridgeway Park has a playground and a multipurpose field, providing a place for a casual outdoor break. The surrounding Carpenter-Ridgeway area also has walking trails and the Starkweather Creek multi-use path.
Hawthorne Library, farther southwest on East Washington Avenue, is another nearby resource. A library stop can fit into an outing along the corridor, giving you a reason to explore beyond the immediate residential blocks.
Transportation
Hawthorne's position near East Washington Avenue and North Stoughton Road gives renters several transportation options to compare. Route A serves the East Washington corridor and Madison College, with connections toward downtown and UW-Madison. Station access varies by address, so check the actual walk and street crossings from any apartment you are considering.
For drivers, nearby Highway 30 connects with the interstate system, while North Stoughton Road serves north-south trips on the east side. These roads make Hawthorne worth considering for an east-side commute. Test your route at the time you normally travel, especially if it involves turning onto one of the larger roads.
Sherman
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Average one-bedroom rent in Madison: $1,509/month
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Average rent in Sherman: $1,274/month
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Average apartment size in Sherman: 732 sq ft
Sherman is an option for renters looking at Madison's Northside. This part of the city puts you south of the recreation facilities and shopping around Warner Park and Northside Town Center.
The neighborhood is worth considering if your daily trips take you along North Sherman Avenue or toward the airport. For weekend plans, the broader Northside offers a farmers' market and substantial park space within the same part of town.
Things to Do in Sherman
Nearby Warner Park gives Sherman residents plenty of reasons to explore the Northside. Walking paths, a beach, and an off-leash dog area support everyday recreation, while the park's ballpark hosts Madison Mallards baseball and Madison Night Mares softball. You can choose between a simple walk and a ticketed game without heading downtown.
The nearby Northside Farmers' Market adds a seasonal Sunday outing at Northside Town Center. Browse what local vendors have brought, then combine the visit with other errands along North Sherman Avenue. Check the current market calendar when planning your trip.
Transportation
Metro's Route D2 serves Sherman Avenue and connects with Dane County Regional Airport, making it especially relevant for renters who work at the airport or travel frequently. It also serves the Johnson-Gorham and university area. Check the route branch when planning a trip: D1 and D2 serve different destinations.
North Sherman Avenue supports local trips, while Aberg Avenue and nearby Packers Avenue provide connections across the Northside and toward the airport. For a downtown commute, compare the full bus trip with the drive and parking arrangements at your destination. Access to the right stop may matter more than a small difference in monthly rent between apartments.
Make the Most of Your Move with Apartments.com
Once you have a few neighborhoods in mind, compare the apartments available within them. Start with Madison rentals on Apartments.com and set a maximum price that works for your budget. Add filters for your preferred bedroom count and the amenities you expect to use, from laundry facilities to a dog park.
With a clear budget and a sense of your everyday routes, you can begin an apartment search that reflects how you want to live in Madison.
Apartment rent data provided by CoStar Group's September 2026 reports.
FAQs
What is the cheapest neighborhood in Madison?
Burr Oaks has the lowest average rent among the neighborhoods in Apartments.com's rental market trends page for Madison, at $1,179 per month.
What is the average rent in Madison?
The average rent in Madison is $1,509 per month.
Is Madison expensive?
Current cost-of-living figures put Madison above the national average overall. Several neighborhoods still have rents below the city's $1,509 benchmark. When comparing options, include utilities, transportation, and required fees in your budget.
