Buying a home
Data from November 2026
Buying a home in Wisconsin
A typical home in Wisconsin is worth $266,500 (Average 2020–2024). The FHA limit for one unit is $541,287–$552,000 depending on the county. Here is the minimum down payment each loan type asks at that price, every county’s limit, and the state’s assistance programs.
Key numbers in Wisconsin
- Typical home
- $266,500
- median value, Average 2020–2024
- 20% less than the U.S.
- FHA limit
- $541,287–$552,000
- one unit, by county
- In 2 of the 72 counties, the limit is above the national floor ($541,287).
- Conforming limit
- $832,750
- one unit, 2026 data
- Above this amount, the loan is a “jumbo” loan.
- Minimum FHA down payment
- $9,328
- 3.5% of a $266,500 home
- VA and USDA ask for no down payment if you qualify.
Down payment
How much each loan asks up front
For a $266,500 home, the typical value in Wisconsin. The minimum down payment is each program’s rule. The monthly figure is an example of principal and interest over 30 years at the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026): no taxes, insurance or mortgage insurance.
Your price, rate and down payment will differ: run the calculator with your numbers. Closing costs are extra.
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FHA Program rule
Minimum down3.5%
In dollars$9,328
Per month$1,742
With a credit score of 580 or more. Carries mortgage insurance (MIP) up front and every month.
HUD Handbook 4000.1 (Update 18), II.A.2.a.iv — Minimum Required Investment · In effect since September 14, 2016
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Conventional Program rule
Minimum down3%
In dollars$7,995
Per month$1,751
3% is the lowest standard option. With less than 20% down you pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) until you have more equity.
Fannie Mae Selling Guide B5-6-01 — HomeReady Mortgage Loan and Borrower Eligibility · In effect since January 1, 2024
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VA Program rule
Minimum down0%
In dollars$0
Per month$1,805
For veterans, service members and some spouses. No down payment as long as the price is not above the appraisal; charges a one-time funding fee.
VA: Purchase loan — benefits · In effect since January 1, 2020
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USDA Program rule
Minimum down0%
In dollars$0
Per month$1,805
Only homes in eligible rural areas and households within USDA’s income limit. Finances the full price.
7 CFR §3555.103 — Maximum loan amount (Guaranteed Rural Housing Program) · In effect since December 9, 2013
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ITIN loans follow no federal rule: each lender sets its own down payment and rate, and usually asks for more. 15% is an example.
Loan limits
FHA and conforming limit in every county
FHA sets the limit by area: 2 of the 72 counties in Wisconsin are high-cost and sit above the national floor ($541,287). The conforming limit is the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy; above it, the loan is a “jumbo”.
| St. Croix County | $552,000 | $832,750 | $377,700 | High-cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierce County | $552,000 | $832,750 | $333,700 | High-cost |
| Waukesha County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $398,200 | National floor |
| Dane County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $394,800 | National floor |
| Ozaukee County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $390,200 | National floor |
| Washington County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $344,800 | National floor |
| Door County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $342,600 | National floor |
| Walworth County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $302,700 | National floor |
| Vilas County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $300,000 | National floor |
| Columbia County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $283,200 | National floor |
| Calumet County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $274,200 | National floor |
| Jefferson County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $274,100 | National floor |
| Polk County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $271,900 | National floor |
| Outagamie County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $267,300 | National floor |
| Brown County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $266,000 | National floor |
| Kenosha County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $265,500 | National floor |
| Iowa County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $265,000 | National floor |
| Eau Claire County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $261,000 | National floor |
| Sauk County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $258,600 | National floor |
| Chippewa County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $257,900 | National floor |
| La Crosse County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $257,000 | National floor |
| Racine County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $251,400 | National floor |
| Green County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $250,200 | National floor |
| Dunn County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $243,200 | National floor |
| Portage County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $243,100 | National floor |
| Bayfield County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $240,800 | National floor |
| Oneida County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $238,400 | National floor |
| Sawyer County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $236,200 | National floor |
| Sheboygan County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $232,700 | National floor |
| Dodge County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $231,900 | National floor |
| Rock County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $231,600 | National floor |
| Oconto County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $231,400 | National floor |
| Burnett County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $231,300 | National floor |
| Milwaukee County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $230,700 | National floor |
| Washburn County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $226,100 | National floor |
| Winnebago County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $225,800 | National floor |
| Vernon County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $223,800 | National floor |
| Fond du Lac County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $222,800 | National floor |
| Kewaunee County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $222,200 | National floor |
| Marathon County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $219,600 | National floor |
| Trempealeau County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $216,700 | National floor |
| Barron County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $216,600 | National floor |
| Green Lake County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $215,400 | National floor |
| Pepin County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $214,800 | National floor |
| Buffalo County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $213,300 | National floor |
| Waupaca County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $211,400 | National floor |
| Marquette County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $210,400 | National floor |
| Monroe County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $210,000 | National floor |
| Douglas County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $205,800 | National floor |
| Waushara County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $203,100 | National floor |
| Adams County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $200,800 | National floor |
| Grant County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $200,700 | National floor |
| Richland County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $197,500 | National floor |
| Taylor County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $197,100 | National floor |
| Jackson County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $196,100 | National floor |
| Lafayette County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $194,500 | National floor |
| Shawano County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $194,000 | National floor |
| Lincoln County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $192,700 | National floor |
| Manitowoc County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $186,900 | National floor |
| Forest County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $185,000 | National floor |
| Crawford County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $183,400 | National floor |
| Juneau County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $177,700 | National floor |
| Wood County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $175,600 | National floor |
| Florence County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $173,200 | National floor |
| Clark County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $172,800 | National floor |
| Ashland County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $170,300 | National floor |
| Iron County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $165,900 | National floor |
| Rusk County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $163,400 | National floor |
| Price County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $162,500 | National floor |
| Marinette County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $158,600 | National floor |
| Langlade County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $158,200 | National floor |
| Menominee County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $110,200 | National floor |
- St. Croix $552,000$832,750
- Pierce $552,000$832,750
- Waukesha $541,287$832,750
- Dane $541,287$832,750
- Ozaukee $541,287$832,750
- Washington $541,287$832,750
- Door $541,287$832,750
- Walworth $541,287$832,750
- Vilas $541,287$832,750
- Columbia $541,287$832,750
- Calumet $541,287$832,750
- Jefferson $541,287$832,750
- Polk $541,287$832,750
- Outagamie $541,287$832,750
- Brown $541,287$832,750
- Kenosha $541,287$832,750
- Iowa $541,287$832,750
- Eau Claire $541,287$832,750
- Sauk $541,287$832,750
- Chippewa $541,287$832,750
- La Crosse $541,287$832,750
- Racine $541,287$832,750
- Green $541,287$832,750
- Dunn $541,287$832,750
- Portage $541,287$832,750
- Bayfield $541,287$832,750
- Oneida $541,287$832,750
- Sawyer $541,287$832,750
- Sheboygan $541,287$832,750
- Dodge $541,287$832,750
- Rock $541,287$832,750
- Oconto $541,287$832,750
- Burnett $541,287$832,750
- Milwaukee $541,287$832,750
- Washburn $541,287$832,750
- Winnebago $541,287$832,750
- Vernon $541,287$832,750
- Fond du Lac $541,287$832,750
- Kewaunee $541,287$832,750
- Marathon $541,287$832,750
- Trempealeau $541,287$832,750
- Barron $541,287$832,750
- Green Lake $541,287$832,750
- Pepin $541,287$832,750
- Buffalo $541,287$832,750
- Waupaca $541,287$832,750
- Marquette $541,287$832,750
- Monroe $541,287$832,750
- Douglas $541,287$832,750
- Waushara $541,287$832,750
- Adams $541,287$832,750
- Grant $541,287$832,750
- Richland $541,287$832,750
- Taylor $541,287$832,750
- Jackson $541,287$832,750
- Lafayette $541,287$832,750
- Shawano $541,287$832,750
- Lincoln $541,287$832,750
- Manitowoc $541,287$832,750
- Forest $541,287$832,750
- Crawford $541,287$832,750
- Juneau $541,287$832,750
- Wood $541,287$832,750
- Florence $541,287$832,750
- Clark $541,287$832,750
- Ashland $541,287$832,750
- Iron $541,287$832,750
- Rusk $541,287$832,750
- Price $541,287$832,750
- Marinette $541,287$832,750
- Langlade $541,287$832,750
- Menominee $541,287$832,750
One unit. For 2- to 4-unit homes, each county page has the full table. Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (external site)
Down payment help
Wisconsin programs for buyers
2 verified programs that put money toward the down payment or closing costs, or give a tax credit. With the source wording and the date we checked it.
Some help is a grant you never repay; other help is a second loan that is forgiven over the years or repaid when you sell. Each program’s tag says which kind it is.
See all programs-
WHEDA Easy Close Advantage DPA
Verified November 5, 2026
Wisconsin state agency second mortgage for the down payment: up to 6% of the price, over 10 years with a monthly payment and the same rate as the WHEDA first mortgage
- Repayable
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$7,500 loan from the Wisconsin state agency for the down payment and closing costs, over 30 years, at 0% and with no monthly payments, alongside a WHEDA mortgage; limited funds, first come, first served
- Deferred
What the state publishes
Wisconsin rules that change the math
Exemptions that lower property tax and taxes paid when the deed is recorded, summarized from the official page each one cites.
Property tax in WisconsinExemptions and caps
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Lottery and Gaming Credit for your primary residence
It is a credit that directly lowers property tax and shows on your property tax bill. It is paid from lottery money. You qualify if you are a Wisconsin resident, own a dwelling and use it as your primary residence on January 1 of the year the tax is levied. To get it, you file an application with the treasurer of the county where the property is (or with the city treasurer, if the city collects taxes under state law). The amount changes every year: each November the available funds are set from Wisconsin Lottery, on-track betting and bingo revenue. From that, the Department of Revenue sets a maximum credit value (MCV). Your credit is that value (or your property's value, if lower) times the school tax rate that applies to you.
Wis. Stat. §79.10 · Wisconsin Department of Revenue · Verified October 24, 2026
When the sale is recorded
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State real estate transfer fee
The seller (grantor) pays a transfer fee of 30 cents for each $100 of value (or fraction) on every conveyance that state law does not exempt or exclude. For example, if the value subject to the fee is $100,000, the fee is $300.
Wis. Stat. §77.22(1) · Wisconsin Department of Revenue (Filing a Real Estate Transfer Return guide) · Verified October 24, 2026
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ID numbers on the real estate transfer return (RETR)
The real estate transfer return (RETR) lists a Social Security number (SSN), an ITIN or a FEIN (federal identification number) and the address of each seller and each buyer. A buyer without an SSN gives an ITIN. If you have neither an SSN nor an ITIN, you pick from a list the reason the number is not available. The RETR is confidential under state law, and the Department of Revenue restricts who can see it.
Wis. Stat. §77.265 · Wisconsin Department of Revenue · Verified October 24, 2026
Your next steps
Where to go next in Wisconsin
What you can do today, free and without giving personal information. Go in order: your numbers first, then the help.
- Run the numbers with your figures
The Wisconsin calculator already has the typical value, the average rate and the state’s property tax.
- Check whether you qualify for help
Each program says what it gives, who qualifies and when we checked it.
- Talk to a counselor for free
26 HUD-approved agencies help you prepare to buy; 14 say they serve in Spanish.
- Follow the steps to buy a home
From the budget to the keys, in order.
Frequently asked questions
How much down payment do I need for a typical home in Wisconsin?
For a $266,500 home (typical value, Average 2020–2024), the FHA minimum (3.5%) is $9,328 and the conventional minimum (3%) is $7,995. VA and USDA ask no down payment if you qualify. State programs can cover part of it.
Are there high-cost counties in Wisconsin?
Yes. In 2026 data, 2 of the 72 counties in Wisconsin have an FHA limit above the national floor ($541,287); the highest is St. Croix County ($552,000).
What is the conforming loan limit in Wisconsin?
In 2026 data, the conforming limit for one unit is $832,750 in every county in Wisconsin: the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy. Above it, the loan is a “jumbo” and each lender sets its own terms.
What would the monthly payment be on a typical home in Wisconsin?
With $266,500, the FHA minimum down payment ($9,328) and the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026), principal and interest over 30 years comes to about $1,742 a month. Tax, insurance and mortgage insurance are missing: the calculator adds them.
What down payment help is there in Wisconsin?
We have verified 2 state programs in Wisconsin that put money toward the down payment or closing costs, or give a tax credit. Each shows the source wording, who qualifies and the date we checked it.