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Statewide · Property tax · ACS 2024

Wisconsin Property Taxes

The average Wisconsin homeowner pays $3,792 a year at an effective rate of 1.42%. That bill is 90% above the U.S. median bill. Compare 72 counties below.

$3,792
Avg median tax
1.42%
Effective rate
#9 of 51
U.S. rank (burden)
72
Counties

Wisconsin is one of the most heavily property-taxed places in the country: a median bill of $3,792 a year at an effective rate of 1.42%, the 9th-highest of 51 U.S. jurisdictions (50 states and DC).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2024), the median Wisconsin homeowner pays $3,792 a year on a home worth $266,500, an effective rate of 1.42%. The bill runs 90% above the $1,993 national median. County medians range $1,768 (Iron County) to $6,420 (Dane County) across 72 counties.

What the statewide average misses

County medians in Wisconsin run from $1,768 in Iron County to $6,420 (Dane County). That range is why a statewide figure is a starting point, not a parcel-level estimate.

$1,768–$6,420 (Dane County)
County median-bill range
1.45%
Home-weighted county rate
45%
Homes in the eight largest counties

County medians come from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024. The statewide effective rate in the hero is median tax divided by median home value.

The average median property tax in Wisconsin is $3,792/year, which is 90% above the national average of $1,993. The average effective tax rate is 1.42% on a median home value of $266,500. Taxes range from $1,768 in Iron County to $6,420 (Dane County).

Read the state signal first

What the data changes in Wisconsin

A rate compares places with different home values. The annual bill shows a typical dollar amount. County spread shows why neither is a parcel estimate.

The clearest local difference

The typical bill sits well above the national median

The statewide median property-tax bill is $3,792 a year, 90% above the $1,993 national median. The Census ACS estimate describes the median homeowner household rather than an individual parcel.

This page is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures describe median homeowner households reported to the Census Bureau. Individual bills can differ with assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and local overlays. Confirm current rates with your county assessor or a qualified professional before making a decision.

State Average vs National Average

Median Annual Tax
$3,792
+90% vs US avg
Median Home Value
$266,500
+17% vs US avg
Effective Tax Rate
1.42%
+54% vs US avg

Rate-band peers near Wisconsin

Nearest ACS 2024 jurisdictions by effective rate (not geography). Each row names another state so Wisconsin's 1.42% rate is read against real neighbors such as Iowa and Nebraska.

Peer state Effective rate Vs Wisconsin Median bill
Iowa
Also open Iowa for county spread
1.39% Iowa nearly matches Wisconsin $2,897
Nebraska
Also open Nebraska for county spread
1.49% Nebraska runs 0.07 pts above Wisconsin $3,549
Texas
Also open Texas for county spread
1.49% Texas runs 0.07 pts above Wisconsin $4,232
Ohio
Also open Ohio for county spread
1.31% Ohio runs 0.11 pts below Wisconsin $2,822
Pennsylvania
Also open Pennsylvania for county spread
1.30% Pennsylvania runs 0.12 pts below Wisconsin $3,311
New York
Also open New York for county spread
1.55% New York runs 0.13 pts above Wisconsin $6,582

Nationwide states with similar effective rate & median bill

Two PlainPropertyTax-derived comparison paths for Wisconsin, excluding Wisconsin itself so the link neighborhoods are not self-referential. Median-bill peers exclude the effective-rate peer set so the two axes stay disjoint.

Similar effective rate

Nearest other states by ACS effective rate. Wisconsin: 1.42%.

Similar median bill

Nearest other states by ACS median annual tax. Wisconsin: $3,792/yr. Rate peers are excluded so the two link sets stay distinct.

Where Wisconsin sits among U.S. jurisdictions

Effective property tax rate (median tax ÷ median home value) across the 50 states and DC, ACS 2024.

Where Wisconsin sits among U.S. jurisdictions

Effective rate · ACS 2024 · 50 states and DC

1.42% more affordable than 16% of 51 U.S. jurisdictions

Show national distribution This state 0.00% 2.50% every U.S. jurisdiction, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more U.S. jurisdictions. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024

Wisconsin has a higher effective property tax rate than 84% of U.S. jurisdictions (the 50 states and DC), ranking #9 of 51 for property tax burden. Rate neighbors: Iowa (1.39%, nearly level); Nebraska (1.49%, 0.07 pts higher than Wisconsin); Texas (1.49%, 0.07 pts higher than Wisconsin).

What Wisconsin's biggest counties actually charge

Effective rate in the eight Wisconsin counties holding the most owner-occupied homes, ordered largest first (highlighted) and together holding 45% of the state's. ACS 2024.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024). Counties ordered by owner-occupied housing units (B25003_002E), not by resident population.

Wisconsin's median county rate is 1.42%, but that figure counts every county equally. Weight each county by how many owner-occupied homes it actually holds and the rate a typical Wisconsin homeowner faces is 1.45%, close to the plain median, so Wisconsin's larger counties are not unusual for the state.

Tax Affordability Score

3.7
Expensive

Based on the average effective tax rate of 1.42% compared to the national average of 0.92%. Wisconsin has above-average property tax rates, contributing to higher housing costs.

Very Expensive Very Affordable

How this score is calculated: a 1-10 scale from Wisconsin's 1.42% vs the national 0.92% - read beside Iowa and Nebraska before treating the score as band-typical. A ratio at or below 0.5× scores 10, at or above 2.0× scores 1, linear between. Census figures only, not a recommendation or endorsement.

Counties in Wisconsin by tax bill

Ranked from highest median annual bill downward across 72 measured counties. Gold/silver/bronze mark the top three list positions; effective rate is the focal comparison when home values differ.

#CountyMedian taxEff. rateHome value
1Dane County$6,4201.63%$394,800
2Ozaukee County$4,6311.19%$390,200
3Waukesha County$4,5541.14%$398,200
4Pierce County$4,5511.36%$333,700
5Milwaukee County$4,4441.93%$230,700
6St. Croix County$4,4201.17%$377,700
7Kenosha County$4,1791.57%$265,500
8Racine County$4,0991.63%$251,400
9Iowa County$4,0381.52%$265,000
10Walworth County$4,0361.33%$302,700
11Jefferson County$4,0051.46%$274,100
12Green County$4,0031.60%$250,200
13La Crosse County$3,9471.54%$257,000
14Menominee County$3,9263.56%$110,200
15Calumet County$3,8771.41%$274,200
16Columbia County$3,8551.36%$283,200
17Washington County$3,8021.10%$344,800
18Sauk County$3,7551.45%$258,600
19Rock County$3,7031.60%$231,600
20Winnebago County$3,6791.63%$225,800
21Outagamie County$3,6681.37%$267,300
22Brown County$3,6631.38%$266,000
23Eau Claire County$3,5141.35%$261,000
24Portage County$3,4921.44%$243,100
25Door County$3,4861.02%$342,600
26Dodge County$3,4221.48%$231,900
27Dunn County$3,3801.39%$243,200
28Trempealeau County$3,3721.56%$216,700
29Fond du Lac County$3,3651.51%$222,800
30Sheboygan County$3,2361.39%$232,700
31Marathon County$3,2181.47%$219,600
32Kewaunee County$3,1901.44%$222,200
33Polk County$3,0751.13%$271,900
34Lafayette County$3,0531.57%$194,500
35Vernon County$2,9781.33%$223,800
36Waupaca County$2,9241.38%$211,400
37Pepin County$2,9221.36%$214,800
38Crawford County$2,8611.56%$183,400
39Barron County$2,8431.31%$216,600
40Monroe County$2,8261.35%$210,000
41Buffalo County$2,8081.32%$213,300
42Chippewa County$2,7981.08%$257,900
43Taylor County$2,7481.39%$197,100
44Richland County$2,7351.38%$197,500
45Grant County$2,7291.36%$200,700
46Oconto County$2,7271.18%$231,400
47Jackson County$2,7251.39%$196,100
48Green Lake County$2,7181.26%$215,400
49Wood County$2,6971.54%$175,600
50Manitowoc County$2,6951.44%$186,900
51Marquette County$2,6591.26%$210,400
52Shawano County$2,6441.36%$194,000
53Juneau County$2,6051.47%$177,700
54Douglas County$2,5991.26%$205,800
55Lincoln County$2,5491.32%$192,700
56Clark County$2,5051.45%$172,800
57Waushara County$2,4641.21%$203,100
58Bayfield County$2,4251.01%$240,800
59Ashland County$2,4131.42%$170,300
60Adams County$2,4071.20%$200,800
61Washburn County$2,3771.05%$226,100
62Vilas County$2,1970.73%$300,000
63Price County$2,1501.32%$162,500
64Burnett County$2,1400.93%$231,300
65Oneida County$2,1230.89%$238,400
66Florence County$2,0961.21%$173,200
67Forest County$1,9881.07%$185,000
68Langlade County$1,9721.25%$158,200
69Marinette County$1,9071.20%$158,600
70Sawyer County$1,8970.80%$236,200
71Rusk County$1,8341.12%$163,400
72Iron County$1,7681.07%$165,900

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Wisconsin compare to the national average?
Wisconsin property taxes are 90% above the national average. Homeowners here pay a median of $3,792 per year compared to $1,993 nationally.
What is the average property tax in Wisconsin?
The average median property tax paid in Wisconsin is $3,792 per year, based on ACS 2024 data. The average effective tax rate is 1.42%.
Which county in Wisconsin has the lowest property taxes?
Iron County has the lowest median property tax in Wisconsin at $1,768 per year with an effective rate of 1.07%. The highest is Dane County at $6,420.
What is the median home value in Wisconsin?
The median home value across Wisconsin is $266,500, compared to $227,791 nationally. Home values directly impact property tax bills since taxes are assessed as a percentage of property value.
How are property taxes calculated?
Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of a property by the local tax rate (mill rate). Rates vary by county, city, and school district. The effective tax rate shown here is the median tax paid divided by the median home value, which provides a standardized comparison across counties.
Can I appeal my property taxes in Wisconsin?
Yes. Every Wisconsin homeowner has the right to appeal their property tax assessment. The process typically starts at your county assessor's office within 30-90 days of receiving your assessment notice. You can challenge the assessed value by providing comparable sales data, evidence of property condition, or errors in the assessment. See our guide on how to appeal property taxes for detailed steps.

What to do with Wisconsin's numbers

Turn the ACS 2024 statewide medians into a county check, an estimate, or an appeal path.

  • Wisconsin's ACS 2024 median bill is $3,792/yr at 1.42% (90% above the U.S. median). Open any county below to see how far local bills sit from that statewide figure. County list
  • Inside Wisconsin, Iron County posts the lowest median bill at $1,768/yr; Dane County is highest at $6,420/yr. Open Iron County
  • Estimate a parcel bill at Wisconsin's published effective rate, or read the state's assessment and appeal path before treating the statewide median as your budget. State estimator

Statewide medians average across 72 counties; your parcel's assessed value, exemptions, and local levies set the real bill. U.S. Census Bureau ACS · 2024.

Editorial standards and provenance

PlainPropertyTax is rendered directly from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on the Census ACS state-level record for Wisconsin. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-08-09.