A recent study by StorageCafe found that Madison ranks fifth in the Midwest for its share of micro-housing. The study reviewed housing trends across 100 major U.S. cities to pinpoint where renters have greater access to smaller — and often more affordable — homes.
For the purpose of this study, micro-units were defined as rental homes smaller than half the average unit size in their respective states. In Madison’s case, that threshold is 439 square feet, and across Wisconsin, the average unit size is 878 square feet.
Key findings for Madison included:
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Roughly 4.7% of its rental inventory consists of units under 439 square feet, with some as small as 120 square feet;
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Micro-units rent at a 34% discount compared to conventional apartments, making them a more accessible option for Gen Z renters, who make up 34% of the city’s population — the highest share among major U.S. cities; and
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While Madison’s self-storage availability for micro-dwellers is modest — just 4.58 square feet per capita, below the national average — storage units remain reasonably priced at $128 per month.
