Milwaukee County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Milwaukee County is 2.38%, significantly higher than both the national median of 0.99% and the Wisconsin state median of 1.58%. With the median home value in Milwaukee County at $184,600, the typical annual property tax bill reaches $3,903, surpassing the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Milwaukee County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which generally falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions like the primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Milwaukee County's specific property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can provide significant annual savings. Whether you live in Milwaukee or another part of Milwaukee County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Milwaukee County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
2.38%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$4,393
Ownwell’s Milwaukee County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Milwaukee County with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Milwaukee County to estimate your property tax bill. This insight helps you understand potential tax liabilities. If you’d like to see trends on a city level, scroll down to navigate to a more local informational page. Your property's assessed value is the value assigned to your property by your county for property tax calculations. Assessed value takes into account any exemptions you may have on your property.
Property Tax Rates Across Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Property taxes in Milwaukee County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Milwaukee County is 2.38%, which is significantly higher than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Milwaukee County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Milwaukee County estimates its required budget to maintain services for the upcoming fiscal year and divides this budget by the total value of all taxable property in the jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. Although tax rates and budgets are influenced by laws and voter input, this calculation forms the basic process for setting property tax rates. The following data compares Milwaukee County's effective property tax rate with other areas in Wisconsin. For comparison, the city of St. Francis has one of the higher property tax rates in Wisconsin at 2.61%, while the city of Franksville boasts one of the lowest at 1.53%. Analyzing how Milwaukee County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Milwaukee County Tax Rate
2.38%
Average Wisconsin Tax Rate
1.58%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
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% |
| Fox Point | 2.17% | 2.19% | 2.22% | 2.23% | 2.24% |
| Franklin | 1.50% | 1.55% | 1.58% | 1.59% | 1.63% |
| Franksville | 1.52% | 1.53% | 1.53% | 1.57% | 1.58% |
| 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% |
| Shorewood | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| South Milwaukee | 1.77% | 1.79% | 1.82% | 1.86% | 1.91% |
| St Francis | 2.61% | 2.61% | 2.61% | 2.61% | 2.61% |
| 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% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
In Milwaukee County, understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes. The market value represents the price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open, competitive market, considering location, property condition, and current economic trends. For tax purposes, this value is estimated by the Milwaukee County Appraisal District. The assessed value, however, is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits based on local laws and available programs. The assessed value is then used to calculate your property taxes by multiplying it by the combined tax rates of all relevant taxing entities. Assessment notices in Milwaukee County are typically mailed in the spring, usually by the middle of April. These notices provide homeowners with both the market and assessed values, along with an estimate of the annual property tax bill. River Hills has the highest median tax bill in the county at $14,989, while West Allis has the lowest at $508. By distinguishing between these valuation concepts, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and understand how their property taxes are affected. Being aware of these valuation processes in Milwaukee County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Source: Ownwell
$8,900
$343,050
$677,200
Average Milwaukee County Assessed Value
$184,600
Average Wisconsin Assessed Value
$200,300
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
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 |
| Fox Point | $30,074 | $151,333 | $318,625 | $458,392 | $680,625 |
| Franklin | $209,400 | $284,000 | $367,300 | $460,900 | $570,500 |
| Franksville | $351,120 | $476,450 | $677,200 | $720,050 | $822,880 |
| 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 |
| Shorewood | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| South Milwaukee | $161,900 | $186,800 | $217,400 | $258,200 | $302,500 |
| St Francis | $76,000 | $76,000 | $76,000 | $76,000 | $76,000 |
| 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 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
In Milwaukee County, WI, property tax bills are determined based on the assessed value of a home, which is different from its market value. The assessed value is calculated by the local tax assessor and is used to determine the homeowner's tax obligation. Various factors, including property size, location, and improvements, influence this assessed value. Once the assessed value is determined, it's multiplied by the local tax rate to calculate the annual property tax bill. Homeowners in Milwaukee County experience a wide range of property tax bills. For instance, the 25th percentile tax bill is about $2,759, while the 75th percentile tax bill is approximately $5,287. At the higher end, the 90th percentile tax bill reaches $7,148. Comparatively, River Hills has the highest median tax bill at $14,989, while West Allis has the lowest at $508. These variations significantly impact homeowners, as higher property taxes can increase the cost of homeownership, influencing decisions on buying, selling, or investing in property within the county.
Average Milwaukee County Tax Bill
$3,903
Average Wisconsin Tax Bill
$3,346
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
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 |
| Fox Point | $577 | $2,205 | $7,754 | $10,166 | $16,194 |
| Franklin | $3,174 | $4,355 | $5,735 | $7,122 | $8,718 |
| Franksville | $5,556 | $7,390 | $10,556 | $10,934 | $12,490 |
| 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 |
| Shorewood | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| South Milwaukee | $2,904 | $3,384 | $3,983 | $4,747 | $5,600 |
| St Francis | $1,980 | $1,980 | $1,980 | $1,980 | $1,980 |
| 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 |
Source: Ownwell