Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Milwaukee County effective property tax rate: 2.38%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Milwaukee County home value: $184,600
Median annual Milwaukee County tax bill: $3,903, $1,503 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Milwaukee County calculated?

Property taxes in Milwaukee County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.

Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Milwaukee or another part of Milwaukee County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

2.38%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$4,393

$4,077

Ownwell’s Milwaukee County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Milwaukee County with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Milwaukee County’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a more precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Milwaukee County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process. Below, you can compare Milwaukee County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Wisconsin or the U.S. median property tax rate.

Milwaukee County stands out with a median property tax rate of 2.38%, significantly higher than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Within Wisconsin, Saint Francis has the highest median tax rate at 2.39%, while Franklin enjoys a considerably lower rate of 1.58%. Such disparities highlight the importance of understanding local tax dynamics. By appealing your property taxes or seeking exemptions, you can potentially lower your tax burden. This can be especially beneficial in areas like Milwaukee County, where property taxes are notably above the national average.

Property Tax Rates Across Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

Source: Ownwell

1.58%

1.98%

2.39%

Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.

Median Effective Milwaukee County Tax Rate

2.38%

Median Effective Wisconsin Tax Rate

1.58%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Brown Deer	2.07%	2.07%	2.13%	2.13%	2.13%
Cudahy	1.77%	1.79%	1.81%	1.85%	1.91%
Franklin	1.50%	1.55%	1.58%	1.59%	1.63%
Glendale	2.17%	2.17%	2.21%	2.33%	2.34%
Greendale	1.82%	1.83%	1.85%	1.87%	1.91%
Greenfield	2.08%	2.08%	2.08%	2.08%	2.08%
Hales Corners	1.98%	2.01%	2.04%	2.07%	2.13%
Milwaukee	1.81%	2.00%	2.38%	2.38%	2.38%
Oak Creek	1.71%	1.74%	1.76%	1.78%	1.83%
River Hills	2.10%	2.25%	2.28%	2.33%	2.36%
Saint Francis	2.30%	2.34%	2.39%	2.54%	2.60%
South Milwaukee	1.77%	1.79%	1.82%	1.86%	1.91%
Wauwatosa	1.72%	1.74%	1.75%	1.81%	1.84%
West Allis	1.87%	2.02%	2.03%	2.03%	2.03%
Whitefish Bay	1.50%	1.61%	1.61%	1.74%	1.77%
Fox Point	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Franksville	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Shorewood	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
St Francis	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

When examining property taxes in Milwaukee County, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Milwaukee County Assessor's Office estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.

In Milwaukee County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Milwaukee County. For example, the median tax bill in Milwaukee County is $2,400, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. River Hills has the highest median home price at $649,600.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

Source: Ownwell

$8,900

$329,250

$649,600

Median Milwaukee County Market Value

$184,600

Median Wisconsin Market Value

$200,300

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Brown Deer	$1,100	$1,100	$26,250	$49,025	$61,790
Cudahy	$147,650	$170,600	$196,000	$225,500	$257,300
Franklin	$209,400	$284,000	$367,300	$460,900	$570,500
Glendale	$16,470	$195,375	$237,500	$257,900	$259,770
Greendale	$215,160	$251,600	$288,300	$338,500	$414,640
Greenfield	$14,830	$18,275	$47,100	$84,950	$133,010
Hales Corners	$154,500	$186,375	$227,850	$269,725	$329,750
Milwaukee	$66,000	$109,700	$170,200	$236,100	$337,700
Oak Creek	$169,120	$239,300	$303,600	$370,100	$449,020
River Hills	$222,760	$457,100	$649,600	$925,200	$1,239,720
Saint Francis	$21,180	$141,400	$169,100	$199,250	$251,320
South Milwaukee	$161,900	$186,800	$217,400	$258,200	$302,500
Wauwatosa	$144,540	$189,000	$256,500	$286,100	$305,560
West Allis	$7,900	$17,800	$26,300	$33,700	$41,720
Whitefish Bay	$84,200	$129,200	$134,900	$140,200	$145,400
Fox Point	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Franksville	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Shorewood	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
St Francis	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

Property tax bills in Milwaukee County, WI, are determined by assessing the property's value and applying the local tax rate. The assessed value is based on the median home price of $184,600, which is used to calculate the tax bill. The local tax rate is applied to this assessed value to determine the amount owed by homeowners. Factors such as location, property size, and improvements can influence the assessed value, leading to variations in tax bills. Homeowners in Milwaukee County experience a range of tax bills, with the 25th percentile at $2,759 and the 90th percentile reaching $7,148. These figures highlight the disparity in tax burdens among homeowners. Compared to the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and a median tax bill of $2,400, Milwaukee County's tax bills can be significantly higher, particularly in areas like River Hills, where the median tax bill is $14,989. Conversely, West Allis has the lowest median tax bill at $508, demonstrating the wide range of tax obligations within the county.

Property Tax Bills Across Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

Source: Ownwell

$152

$7,571

$14,989

Median Milwaukee County Tax Bill

$3,903

Median Wisconsin Tax Bill

$3,346

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Brown Deer	$23	$23	$522	$1,045	$1,318
Cudahy	$2,655	$3,069	$3,571	$4,142	$4,783
Franklin	$3,174	$4,355	$5,735	$7,122	$8,718
Glendale	$363	$4,530	$5,148	$6,015	$6,016
Greendale	$3,946	$4,622	$5,334	$6,328	$7,809
Greenfield	$309	$380	$979	$1,765	$2,765
Hales Corners	$3,073	$3,757	$4,662	$5,578	$6,828
Milwaukee	$1,583	$2,562	$3,724	$5,025	$6,951
Oak Creek	$3,229	$4,260	$5,384	$6,606	$8,087
River Hills	$4,723	$10,162	$14,989	$21,250	$29,109
Saint Francis	$545	$3,328	$4,038	$4,890	$6,235
South Milwaukee	$2,904	$3,384	$3,983	$4,747	$5,600
Wauwatosa	$2,658	$3,273	$4,466	$5,148	$5,383
West Allis	$161	$361	$508	$669	$828
Whitefish Bay	$1,325	$2,064	$2,166	$2,360	$2,477
Fox Point	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Franksville	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Shorewood	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
St Francis	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell