Rome WI Houses for Rent: Local Guide to Long and Short Stays
Looking for Rome WI houses for rent? Compare long-term and vacation options, rental prices, the application process, and local tips for 2026.
Rome WI houses for rent fall into two groups: year-round long-term leases and furnished vacation homes booked by the night. Clear Trail Properties manages vacation homes around Rome and Nekoosa, so we see both sides of this market. If you need a home for a month or longer, start with the long-term listing sites below. If you need a lake or golf base for a week, book a furnished home direct.
Key Takeaways
- Long-term rentals around Rome, WI are scarce; Realtor.com's March 2026 snapshot showed just 1 rental listing in neighboring Nekoosa, down 50% over three years.
- 2026 Fair Market Rents in Nekoosa run $742 (1 bedroom), $973 (2 bedrooms), $1,220 (3 bedrooms) and $1,288 (4 bedrooms); these are not vacation rates.
- Vacation rental supply in Rome grew 23% year over year, so furnished stays are far easier to find than yearly leases.
- AirROI puts average annual revenue for a Town of Rome Airbnb at $36,509, which shows why many owners choose nightly rentals over leases.
- Clear Trail Properties offers furnished homes for stays from a weekend to extended mid-term bookings; confirm availability and policies on each booking page.
Where Can You Find Houses for Rent in Rome, WI Right Now?
Houses for rent in Rome, WI are listed on national aggregators, local realty offices, and property-manager sites, and inventory changes weekly. The Town of Rome is a small lake community in Adams County, so a search for a yearly lease often returns only a handful of homes, sometimes none.
The sites that currently rank for this search include Zillow, Trulia, and EXp Realty. Check all of them, then widen your radius to Nekoosa and Wisconsin Rapids. Alpine Acres is worth a look too. A listing that appears for "New Rome Nekoosa" is often a few minutes from Rome proper.
Our advice: set saved-search alerts on two aggregators and call a local realty office directly. Many rural landlords in this corridor never post online and rent through word of mouth or a church board. Some just put a sign in the yard. If you see one, call the number the same day, because a decent house at a fair price rarely lasts a week in a market this thin.
The Visit Rome, WI lodging directory is the better stop if what you actually need is a furnished stay for a week or two.
What Types of Rentals Exist Near Rome, Wisconsin?
Rental types near Rome, Wisconsin include single-family long-term leases and small apartments in nearby Wisconsin Rapids. Seasonal cabins and furnished vacation homes are also available. Each category carries a different lease length and price structure. The set of included utilities differs too.
| Rental type | Typical term | Furnished | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term house lease | 12 months or more | Usually no | Residents, families relocating |
| Seasonal cabin | Summer or winter season | Often yes | Lake lovers, snowbirds |
| Mid-term furnished home | 30 to 90 nights | Yes | Traveling professionals, remote workers |
| Vacation rental | Nights to weeks | Yes | Golf trips, family getaways |
The line between categories matters because pricing logic differs. A long-term landlord quotes a monthly figure and usually excludes utilities. A vacation home quotes a nightly rate that already covers linens and Wi-Fi. It also includes a starter pack of essentials such as soap and paper goods.
End the day around the fire in this private outdoor lounge, surrounded by warm wood seating and a peaceful wooded backdrop. · Pickles Cabin
What Does It Cost to Rent a House Near Rome, WI?
Renting a house near Rome, WI costs roughly the federal Fair Market Rent for the area on a yearly lease, and considerably more per night on a vacation basis. The most reliable public benchmark we can cite is Nekoosa, the nearest town with published figures.
2026 Fair Market Rents in Nekoosa are $742 for a one-bedroom, $973 for a two-bedroom, $1,220 for a three-bedroom, and $1,288 for a four-bedroom. Those are benchmark rents, not asking prices. A lakefront or newly built home usually lists above them, and a three-bedroom with water access can ask a few hundred dollars more per month than the benchmark.
Nightly rentals sit in a different universe. AirROI reports that Nekoosa listings averaged $428 per night over the 12 months through September 2026, with July nightly rates reaching $588. A single week of peak-season vacation rental can exceed a full month of long-term rent.
Why the gap is so wide
A vacation home carries cleaning, utilities, furnishings, taxes, and platform costs inside the rate. A yearly tenant pays those separately or never sees them. Compare total monthly cost, not the headline number. For a long-term lease, add electric, heating fuel such as propane or natural gas, water, trash, and internet to the rent. In a wooded rural home, winter heating can add a meaningful amount to the monthly total.
Which Area Fits You: Rome, Nekoosa, or Alpine Acres?
Rome and Nekoosa are neighboring communities in central Wisconsin that share a rental market but differ in character. Alpine Acres is part of that same area. Rome sits among the lake communities of Lake Arrowhead and Lake Camelot. Lake Sherwood is nearby, while Nekoosa is the small city to the south along the Wisconsin River.
Rome is the pick if you want lake access and trail systems. It also offers a quiet wooded setting. Nekoosa suits you better if you want a standard town grid and quick access to Wisconsin Rapids. Alpine Acres is a smaller subdivision-style area that appears in realty listings; ask the agent for the exact boundaries before you commit to a commute.
Most of the drive-time data we publish is measured from Nekoosa-area homes. For example, Downtown Wisconsin Rapids is about 6.3 miles away, roughly a 15 minute drive. Stevens Point sits farther out; University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is about 21.8 miles, roughly 40 minutes. Wisconsin Dells is about 48 miles, around 1 hour 25 minutes by estimate.
Long-Term Leases vs Vacation Rentals: Which Should You Choose?
A long-term lease is a 12-month or longer contract at a fixed monthly rent, while a vacation rental is a furnished short stay booked per night. Choose a lease if you live and work in the area. Choose a vacation or mid-term rental if you are relocating or between homes, or if you are visiting.
Seasonality explains why long-term homes are hard to find. AirROI reports Nekoosa occupancy ranging from 19% in April to 62% in August, which means owners with lake or golf proximity can earn more in summer than a lease would pay all year. Many convert homes to nightly rentals for that reason.
The winter gap is where mid-term stays fit. At Clear Trail Properties, we offer flexible mid-term bookings in slower seasons for traveling nurses and remote workers who need Wi-Fi, laundry, and a full kitchen without a 12-month commitment. Properties like Wildwood Retreat offer a laptop-friendly workspace and in-unit laundry; confirm current terms on its booking page.
How Do You Apply for a House Rental Near Rome?
Applying for a rental house means submitting an application and authorizing a credit and background check. You pay a deposit once approved. Process details vary by landlord, so ask for the written criteria before you pay any application fee.
- Gather photo ID, proof of income, and prior landlord contacts.
- Ask what credit and background screening the landlord uses and what the application fee covers.
- Request the lease in writing and read the term, renewal, and early-termination clauses.
- Confirm which utilities you pay, and whether there is a deposit and how it is returned.
- Document the home's condition with dated photos at move-in.
Wisconsin tenant rights, including security deposit handling, are set by state law. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) administers the residential rental rules in Chapter ATCP 134, which cover deposits, written disclosure of known defects, and how a landlord must itemize deductions. Ask for the deposit terms in writing, and photograph the home at move-in so you can contest unfair deductions. We are not a legal source, so confirm the current rules with DATCP or an attorney before signing.
How do you schedule a tour?
Call or email the listing contact and request two time slots. Ask to see the utility panel and heating source. Check the parking too. For rural lake homes, ask about plowing before winter. Ask about driveway maintenance as well.
What About Pets, Parking, and Utilities?
Pet policy and parking are the terms most likely to change a rental's real monthly cost. Utilities matter just as much. Long-term landlords in the Rome area often set their own pet rules and deposits, so get them in writing.
On the vacation side, policies are published per home. Queensway, a lakefront cabin about three minutes from downtown Rome, is dog friendly for dogs only, with a partially fenced yard. Chalet on the Fairway also welcomes dogs. Cats are not allowed at several of our homes, and fees vary, so check each booking page.
Parking matters more than you expect on lake lots. Some of our homes park four vehicles in the driveway, and one parks up to six. Street parking near the water is often limited to summer. Ask any landlord whether a boat trailer fits.
What Is Living Near Rome, WI Actually Like?
Living near Rome, WI means a lake-and-pines lifestyle. Larger towns are a short drive away for groceries and healthcare. The area is built around outdoor recreation more than dense services.
Sand Valley Golf Resort draws golfers from across the Midwest, and Lake Petenwell sits roughly 30 minutes from Nekoosa-area homes. Wisconsin Rapids is the closest larger city for shopping and employers, about 15 minutes from Nekoosa. Central Wisconsin Airport is about 33.5 miles out, roughly an hour.
The trade-off is real: summer weekends bring traffic and noise, and winter brings quiet roads and long plowing days. Ask which school district serves a specific address before you sign. Boundaries do not follow town names, and Rome-area addresses can fall into different districts depending on the street, so check the address with the district office or the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's school directory rather than relying on a listing.
Unwind in a serene, nature-inspired bedroom anchored by a solid wood bed and warm bedside lighting from the nightstand with drawers. Enjoy serene tree-lined views right from bed as you ease into vacation mode. · Ashley’s Hideaway
Which Furnished Rome-Area Homes Can You Book Instead?
Furnished vacation and mid-term homes in the Rome and Nekoosa area are the fastest option when no yearly lease is available. Clear Trail Properties manages several, and each has different strengths.
- Queensway: sleeps 8 across 3 bedrooms, private dock, pedal boat and canoe included. Downside: only two vehicles fit the driveway.
- Birdie Bunkhouse: sleeps 8 with four king bedrooms and a garage pool table. Downside: a nearby bar hosts live music on summer evenings.
- Feather Trail Guest House: sleeps 6 with direct UTV, ATV and snowmobile trail access. Downside: the indoor fireplace is not for guest use.
- Tomahawk Trail: sleeps up to 18 with a hot tub and game room. Downside: it is sized for big groups, so it is overkill for two people.
Rates and fees change, so use each booking page for current details. Availability shifts too. Booking direct also keeps your guest information with us rather than a third-party platform.
How Do Rome Short-Term Rental Rules Affect Renters?
Short-term rental rules in the Town of Rome require owners to hold the proper permits, which shapes how many homes are available for nightly use. As of 2026, the town's website points to a short-term rental page and a forms hub for current applications.
You can review the Town of Rome forms and permits page for what the municipality requires. A compliant host should be able to confirm their permit status on request.
Visit Rome Wisconsin reported $1.5 million in lodging tax revenue in 2026, according to The Business News, which shows how large the vacation market has become. For you as a renter, the practical effect is that homes migrate toward nightly use, and yearly leases get harder to find.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there houses for rent in Rome, WI right now?
Yearly leases are limited and change often; check Zillow and Trulia weekly. Local realty offices are worth checking as well. Furnished vacation homes are much easier to find. Clear Trail Properties lists homes near Rome that you can book directly at cleartrailproperties.com.
What is the average rent for a 3-bedroom house near Rome, WI?
The 2026 Fair Market Rent for a three-bedroom in neighboring Nekoosa is $1,220. Actual asking rents vary by condition and lake access, so treat that figure as a benchmark. The landlord matters too.
What are the best affordable houses for rent near Rome, WI?
Affordable options usually sit in Nekoosa or Wisconsin Rapids rather than on the lakes. Rome-area lake homes tend to cost more. Compare total monthly cost including utilities, not rent alone.
Can I rent a house in Rome for a few weeks or months?
Yes. Clear Trail Properties offers furnished stays from a weekend up to flexible mid-term bookings in slower seasons. Contact us through cleartrailproperties.com to discuss your dates and needs.
How do I schedule a tour of a rental home near Rome?
Contact the listing agent or landlord and request two time slots. Ask about utilities and parking during the visit. Ask about heating and winter driveway care as well.
Are there pet-friendly rentals near Rome, WI?
Some are. Several Clear Trail Properties homes allow dogs, with conditions and fees that vary, while cats are not permitted at many. Check each property's booking page for the current pet policy.
Who can help if I want to rent out my own Rome-area house?
Clear Trail Properties provides co-hosting and full-service management for Wisconsin owners, covering guest communication, cleaning coordination, maintenance oversight, and pricing while you keep ownership.
Conclusion
Rome WI houses for rent are in short supply on a yearly basis. Widen your search to Nekoosa and Wisconsin Rapids. Keep Fair Market Rents as your price benchmark, and move quickly on good listings. If your timeline is short or flexible, a furnished home is the faster path, and the market is growing in 2026 with Rome vacation inventory up 23% year over year. Confirm tenant rights and local permits with official sources before you commit.
A welcoming facade that sets the tone. · Archer Place
Need a furnished home near Rome or want your own property managed? With over 60 properties under management, Clear Trail Properties can match you to the right home or talk through co-hosting and full-service management.
Written by Ashley Lang, Owner, CEO at Clear Trail Properties