Estimate your monthly mortgage payment in Wisconsin — principal & interest plus Wisconsin property tax and homeowner’s insurance.
Buying a home in Wisconsin: what to know
Wisconsin balances moderate prices against above-average taxes: a $339,699 statewide typical value (Zillow ZHVI, Aug 2026, up 3.5% YoY) with a 1.32% median effective property tax rate (Tax Foundation, 2026) — 10th-highest nationally, though applied to modest home values. With a median home price of $339,699, 20% down means borrowing about $271,759 — within the 2026 conforming limit of $832,750 statewide. Property taxes run about 1.32% of assessed value, and insurance averages just $957 a year statewide (among the nation’s lowest) — both baked into the calculator above. First-time buyers should check out WHEDA Advantage (3% down) and the Easy Close Advantage down payment assistance before shopping lenders.
Wisconsin mortgage facts
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| 2026 conforming loan limit (1-unit) | $832,750 |
| Median home price | $339,699 |
| Median effective property tax rate | 1.32% |
| Average homeowner’s insurance | $957/year |
Data as of October 2026. Sources: FHFA (2026 conforming limits), Zillow ZHVI (Aug 2026), Tax Foundation (2026 (2024 ACS data)), NAIC via Insurance Information Institute (2022 (published May 2025)); rate: 7.40% (Freddie Mac PMMS, week ending October 15, 2026)
Wisconsin first-time buyer programs
- WHEDA Advantage — 30-year fixed-rate first mortgages for first-time buyers with as little as 3% down (conventional) or 3.5% (FHA); county income and purchase-price limits plus homebuyer education required. Official site
- WHEDA Easy Close Advantage DPA — Pairs with a WHEDA first mortgage — a second mortgage of $1,000 up to 6% of the purchase price for down payment and closing costs, 10-year term at the first-mortgage rate. Official site
How to use this calculator
Start with Wisconsin’s median home price (pre-filled above) or type the price of a home you’re eyeing. The calculator assumes 20% down — the threshold that avoids private mortgage insurance on conventional loans — and applies Wisconsin’s median property tax rate and average insurance premium so the monthly figure reflects the true cost of owning, not just principal and interest. Wisconsin’s 1.32% effective rate makes the escrow portion larger than in neighboring states — verify the specific municipality’s rate, since it varies widely. If you’re putting less than 20% down, look at WHEDA Advantage (3% down conventional) and model the PMI separately.
Worked example: a median Wisconsin home
Take a median-priced Wisconsin home at $339,699. With 20% down ($67,939.80), the loan amount is $271,759.20. At 7.40% (Freddie Mac PMMS, week ending October 15, 2026) on a 30-year fixed term, principal and interest come to $1,881.61/month. Add property tax of about $373.67/month (1.32% of $339,699, divided by 12) and insurance of about $79.75/month ($957 a year), for a total estimated payment of $2,335.02/month. Over 30 years, total interest would be about $405,618.89. Your rate, down payment, and county tax bill will move these numbers — use the calculator above with your own figures.
What is the conforming loan limit in Wisconsin for 2026?
The 2026 conforming loan limit for a one-unit property is $832,750 across Wisconsin — no counties are designated high-cost — per the FHFA’s November 2025 announcement.
How much are property taxes in Wisconsin?
The median effective property tax rate in Wisconsin is about 1.32% of a home’s assessed value (Tax Foundation, 2026 (2024 ACS data)) — 10th-highest in the nation. On a $339,699 home, that’s roughly $4,484 a year, or $373.67 a month — already included in the calculator above. Actual bills vary by county and municipality.
Why are Wisconsin property taxes relatively high?
Wisconsin funds schools and local services heavily through property taxes, and the 1.32% median effective rate ranks 10th nationally. On the plus side, the state repealed its personal property tax under 2023 Wisconsin Act 12 (effective January 1, 2024), and home values remain moderate — 1.32% of $339,699 is $4,484 a year.
What does WHEDA offer first-time buyers?
WHEDA Advantage provides 30-year fixed-rate first mortgages with as little as 3% down (conventional) or 3.5% (FHA), subject to county income and purchase-price limits plus homebuyer education. The Easy Close Advantage adds $1,000 up to 6% of the purchase price for down payment and closing costs as a 10-year second mortgage, and the Capital Access DPA offers a flat $7,500 at 0% interest deferred for 30 years.
Do I pay property tax on my business equipment in Wisconsin?
Not anymore — Wisconsin repealed its personal property tax under 2023 Wisconsin Act 12, so no taxes are levied on business machinery, equipment, furniture, or tools beginning with January 1, 2024 assessments. (Real property taxes on your home are unaffected.)