Property Tax in Wisconsin (2026): Rates, Exemptions, and Real Numbers

Wisconsin Property Tax Rates by County

Highest and lowest effective rates within Wisconsin

Property Tax Calculator — Wisconsin

Pre-loaded with Wisconsin's 1.59% effective rate and $306,400 median price

Property Tax by City in Wisconsin

Annual and monthly property tax by city, based on local median prices and the statewide effective rate

Wisconsin Homestead Exemption

How Wisconsin Assesses Property Values

Assessment cycle: Annual assessment by local assessors at full market value. State Department of Revenue monitors assessment uniformity.

Property Tax's Impact on Your True Monthly Cost

On a $306,400 home in Wisconsin

Property tax represents 15% of the true monthly cost in Wisconsin.

Mortgage Calculator Including Property Tax — Wisconsin

See your full PITI (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) payment

How Wisconsin's Property Tax Affects Affordability

$406/month in property tax reduces the home price you can afford. Use the affordability calculator to see the real impact.

Property Tax After Refinancing in Wisconsin

Refinancing changes your P&I but not your property tax. If your home was reassessed at a higher value, your tax bill increases regardless of your rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin's effective property tax rate is 1.59%, ranking #8 nationally. The median annual property tax bill is $4,872 ($406/month). Rates range from 0.90% in Vilas County to 2.17% in Milwaukee County. Source: Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024.

Does Wisconsin have a homestead exemption?

Yes — Wisconsin offers a homestead exemption for primary residences. Lottery and Gaming Credit: directly reduces property tax bills for owner-occupied primary residences — approximately $104–$217 annually. School Levy Tax Credit: available to all property owners; reduces school levy portion. Farmland Preservation Credit available for agricultural land. Senior citizens may qualify for income-based Homestead Credit.. Apply through your county assessor's office after purchasing your home.

How often is property reassessed in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin reassesses property on a annual assessment by local assessors at full market value. state department of revenue monitors assessment uniformity. basis. When your property is reassessed, your tax bill changes based on the new assessed value multiplied by the applicable rate. If you believe your assessment is too high, you can appeal — most counties allow 30-90 days after receiving your assessment notice.

How is property tax calculated in Wisconsin?

Property tax = Assessed Value × Mill Rate (or effective rate). In Wisconsin, the effective rate is 1.59% of market value. On a $306,400 home: $306,400 × 1.59% = $4,872/year. Assessments may use a fraction of market value — the effective rate accounts for this.

Can I appeal my property tax assessment in Wisconsin?

Yes. If your assessed value is higher than comparable sales in your area, you can file an appeal with your county assessment board. Steps: (1) Get your assessment notice, (2) Research comparable recent sales, (3) File an appeal by the deadline (typically 30-90 days from assessment notice). Studies show 20-40% of appeals result in a reduction. The process is free and you represent yourself — no attorney required.

Are property taxes included in my mortgage payment in Wisconsin?

Most lenders require an escrow account that collects $406/month ($4,872/year ÷ 12) along with your mortgage payment, then pays the county on your behalf. If your loan-to-value is below 80%, you may be able to opt out of escrow and pay taxes directly. Note: if your assessed value rises, your escrow payment adjusts and your total monthly cost increases.

What Wisconsin counties have the highest and lowest property taxes?

Wisconsin's highest effective rate is in Milwaukee County at 2.17%. The lowest is Vilas County at 0.90%. That's a 1.27% spread — on a $306,400 home, the difference is $3,891/year.