Wisconsin · Property Tax & Closing Costs

Wisconsin property tax by county

Property tax rates, median home values, and closing cost estimates for all 72 counties in Wisconsin. The average effective rate across the state is 1.36%, ranking Wisconsin 8 of 51 (highest property taxes nationally). Data is sourced from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates.

Average rate

1.36%

across 72 counties

National rank

of 51, highest rate first

Median home value

$224,800

county median in state

Rate range

0.73%–3.56%

Vilas County → Menominee County

Same home, different county

On a $224,800 home (the typical county median in Wisconsin), the annual property tax bill depends heavily on where you buy:

Lowest-rate county

$1,646/yr

Vilas County at 0.73%

Highest-rate county

$8,010/yr

Menominee County at 3.56%

Difference

$6,364/yr

$530/mo · $63,641 over 10 years

Estimate: purchase price × each county's effective rate. Actual bills depend on assessed value, local levies, and exemptions.

Lowest property tax rates in Wisconsin

The five Wisconsin counties with the lowest effective property tax rates, useful for buyers comparing total cost of ownership across the state.

County	Rate	Median home	Median taxes
Vilas County	0.73%	$300,000	$2,197
Sawyer County	0.80%	$236,200	$1,897
Oneida County	0.89%	$238,400	$2,123
Burnett County	0.92%	$231,300	$2,140
Bayfield County	1.01%	$240,800	$2,425

Highest property tax rates in Wisconsin

The five Wisconsincounties with the highest effective property tax rates. High rates often reflect strong school district funding or municipal services rather than weakness, but they materially change a buyer's monthly carrying cost.

County	Rate	Median home	Median taxes
Menominee County	3.56%	$110,200	$3,926
Milwaukee County	1.93%	$230,700	$4,444
Racine County	1.63%	$251,400	$4,099
Winnebago County	1.63%	$225,800	$3,679
Dane County	1.63%	$394,800	$6,420

Wisconsin real estate transfer tax

Wisconsin charges a combined transfer tax of about 0.30% of the purchase price. On a $224,800 home, that is roughly $674 in total.

Paid by	Rate	On $224,800
Buyer	0.00%	$0
Seller	0.30%	$674

$0.30/$100 (0.3%) Real Estate Transfer Fee per Wis. Stat. 77.22, seller-paid. 80/20 state/county revenue split but uniform statewide rate. Wisconsin prohibits local governments from imposing additional transfer fees.

Official Wisconsin source → · Verified April 2026

Closing costs in Wisconsin

Across Wisconsin's 72 counties, buyer closing costs run $3,230 to $9,553 at each county's median home value with 20% down. Cash needed at closing, with closing costs and the down payment, runs $25,298 to $88,762. Pick your county for your own figures.

Wisconsin closing cost calculator

Wisconsin property tax exemptions

Ways buyers in Wisconsin may reduce their annual property tax. These programs apply statewide; verify county specifics with your local assessor.

Homestead

Lottery & Gaming Credit

Direct property tax credit on a primary residence, typically $150-$350/year, funded by Wisconsin Lottery and gaming proceeds. Must be a Wisconsin resident and owner-occupy by January 1.

View official source →

Other

School Levy Credit and First Dollar Credit

Two automatic credits applied to all property tax bills: School Levy Credit reduces the school portion; First Dollar Credit applies a flat credit on improved residential property.

View official source →

Veteran

Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses Exemption

Veterans with 100% service-connected disability or individual unemployability receive a refundable credit equal to property tax paid on the primary residence. Surviving spouses also qualify.

View official source →

Senior

Homestead Credit (Income Tax)

Income-based refundable credit up to $1,168 for homeowners and renters with household income under $24,680. Claimed on the Wisconsin income tax return.

View official source →

Last verified April 2026. Exemption amounts and eligibility change frequently. Always confirm with your county assessor before claiming.

All 72 counties in Wisconsin

Effective property tax rate, median home value, and median annual taxes paid for every county in Wisconsin. Click a county to open its full property tax calculator and closing cost breakdown.

County	Rate	Median home	Median taxes
Adams County	1.20%	$200,800	$2,407
Ashland County	1.42%	$170,300	$2,413
Barron County	1.31%	$216,600	$2,843
Bayfield County	1.01%	$240,800	$2,425
Brown County	1.38%	$266,000	$3,663
Buffalo County	1.32%	$213,300	$2,808
Burnett County	0.92%	$231,300	$2,140
Calumet County	1.41%	$274,200	$3,877
Chippewa County	1.08%	$257,900	$2,798
Clark County	1.45%	$172,800	$2,505
Columbia County	1.36%	$283,200	$3,855
Crawford County	1.56%	$183,400	$2,861
Dane County	1.63%	$394,800	$6,420
Dodge County	1.48%	$231,900	$3,422
Door County	1.02%	$342,600	$3,486
Douglas County	1.26%	$205,800	$2,599
Dunn County	1.39%	$243,200	$3,380
Eau Claire County	1.35%	$261,000	$3,514
Florence County	1.21%	$173,200	$2,096
Fond du Lac County	1.51%	$222,800	$3,365
Forest County	1.07%	$185,000	$1,988
Grant County	1.36%	$200,700	$2,729
Green County	1.60%	$250,200	$4,003
Green Lake County	1.26%	$215,400	$2,718
Iowa County	1.52%	$265,000	$4,038
Iron County	1.07%	$165,900	$1,768
Jackson County	1.39%	$196,100	$2,725
Jefferson County	1.46%	$274,100	$4,005
Juneau County	1.47%	$177,700	$2,605
Kenosha County	1.57%	$265,500	$4,179
Kewaunee County	1.44%	$222,200	$3,190
La Crosse County	1.54%	$257,000	$3,947
Lafayette County	1.57%	$194,500	$3,053
Langlade County	1.25%	$158,200	$1,972
Lincoln County	1.32%	$192,700	$2,549
Manitowoc County	1.44%	$186,900	$2,695
Marathon County	1.47%	$219,600	$3,218
Marinette County	1.20%	$158,600	$1,907
Marquette County	1.26%	$210,400	$2,659
Menominee County	3.56%	$110,200	$3,926
Milwaukee County	1.93%	$230,700	$4,444
Monroe County	1.35%	$210,000	$2,826
Oconto County	1.18%	$231,400	$2,727
Oneida County	0.89%	$238,400	$2,123
Outagamie County	1.37%	$267,300	$3,668
Ozaukee County	1.19%	$390,200	$4,631
Pepin County	1.36%	$214,800	$2,922
Pierce County	1.36%	$333,700	$4,551
Polk County	1.13%	$271,900	$3,075
Portage County	1.44%	$243,100	$3,492
Price County	1.32%	$162,500	$2,150
Racine County	1.63%	$251,400	$4,099
Richland County	1.39%	$197,500	$2,735
Rock County	1.60%	$231,600	$3,703
Rusk County	1.12%	$163,400	$1,834
Sauk County	1.45%	$258,600	$3,755
Sawyer County	0.80%	$236,200	$1,897
Shawano County	1.36%	$194,000	$2,644
Sheboygan County	1.39%	$232,700	$3,236
St. Croix County	1.17%	$377,700	$4,420
Taylor County	1.39%	$197,100	$2,748
Trempealeau County	1.56%	$216,700	$3,372
Vernon County	1.33%	$223,800	$2,978
Vilas County	0.73%	$300,000	$2,197
Walworth County	1.33%	$302,700	$4,036
Washburn County	1.05%	$226,100	$2,377
Washington County	1.10%	$344,800	$3,802
Waukesha County	1.14%	$398,200	$4,554
Waupaca County	1.38%	$211,400	$2,924
Waushara County	1.21%	$203,100	$2,464
Winnebago County	1.63%	$225,800	$3,679
Wood County	1.54%	$175,600	$2,697

Source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates, tables B25077 (median home value) and B25103 (median real estate taxes paid). Effective rate is computed as median taxes paid divided by median home value at the county level and represents the typical owner-occupied home. Actual bills vary by purchase price, exemptions, and special assessments.