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City · 20,962 residents · Washington County, Wisconsin

Germantown , Wisconsin

In Germantown, a typical home is worth $373,600 and typical rent is $1,355 a month. Compared with all of Washington County, typical rent is 18% higher and the typical home value is 8% higher.

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  • Typical home value

    $373,600

    8% above the county

    40% above Wisconsin

    • Germantown
    • Washington
    • Wisconsin

  • Typical rent

    $1,355a month

    18% above the county

    25% above Wisconsin

    • Germantown
    • Washington
    • Wisconsin

  • Typical household income

    $100,231a year

    4% above the county

    29% above Wisconsin

    • Germantown
    • Washington
    • Wisconsin

  • Households that own their home

    77%

    1 points below the county

    9 points above Wisconsin

    • Germantown
    • Washington
    • Wisconsin

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$456,338
5% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,547 a month

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Germantown is in Washington County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Washington County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Germantown apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Nearby, in Cedarburg, the typical rent is $1,116: 18% less than in Germantown ($1,355).

  2. The typical rent in Germantown is $1,355 a month, 18% more than in Washington County as a whole ($1,153).

  3. Germantown has the 11th largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 141 cities in Wisconsin with more than 5,000 people (52%).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Germantown

What homes there are in Germantown, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

The detached house is still the most common home in Germantown, but it weighs less than in Washington County: 61% against 69%.

Year built

In Germantown, half of the homes were built before 1988; in Washington County, before 1986.

In Germantown, 68% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, about the same as in Washington County.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

The FHA loan limit for Washington County is $541,287, and about 81% of owner-occupied homes in Germantown are worth less than that.

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$2,170 a month

Washington County: $1,932 a month

Without a mortgage

$785 a month

Washington County: $675 a month

Owners with a mortgage

66%

Washington County: 65%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Germantown is $2,170 a month, more than in Washington County ($1,932); without one, $785.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in Germantown rose 42% since 2015–2019, less than in Washington County (46%).

The typical rent in Germantown rose 27% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Washington County (27%).

Here income did not keep up with housing: it rose 15%, while home values changed +42% and rent +27%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureGermantownWashington CountyWisconsinUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate4.5%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0.5%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate0.8%1.7%3.4%
People per household 2.422.402.332.53
Drive alone 74%78%74%69%
Carpool 6%6%7%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate1%3%3%
Work from home 19%14%13%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Washington County, a household in Germantown has 2.42 people on average.

Working from home is more common in Germantown: 19%, against 14% in Washington County.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Germantown?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Germantown, worth $373,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 38% of the typical household income in Germantown, which is $100,231 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $137,334 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Washington County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Germantown. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $13,076 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$3,204

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$366,833
Total interest
$527,787
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $6,309 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,339 a month

  • Tight

    $2,339 to $3,007 a month

  • Hard

    more than $3,007 a month

    Your payment · 38%

Compared with the typical household income in Germantown ($100,231 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$3,204
Principal & interest$2,485
Property tax$399
Home insurance$156
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$165

You need at least $13,076 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Germantown and Washington County

Germantown is in Washington County, Wisconsin. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Germantown's own numbers

Typical home value
$373,600
Typical monthly rent
$1,355
Typical yearly household income
$100,231
Households that own their home
77%
Effective property tax rate
1.28%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Washington County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,263
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+54%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.2%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Washington County.

Everything about Washington County

Buying

Buying a home in Germantown

A typical home in Germantown is worth $373,600: 8% above the county and 40% above Wisconsin. With the typical household income in Germantown ($100,231 a year), a typical home costs 3.7 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Germantown 3.7 years
  • Washington 3.6 years
  • Wisconsin 3.4 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Washington County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Washington County rose 88% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Washington County.

Period County Wisconsin U.S.
Last year (2025) +5.9% +5.4% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +54% +57% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +88% +96% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Germantown next to Washington County, Wisconsin and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Germantown $373,600
  • Washington $344,800
  • Wisconsin $266,500
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Germantown $1,355
  • Washington $1,153
  • Wisconsin $1,087
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Germantown $100,231
  • Washington $96,359
  • Wisconsin $77,485
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Germantown next to Washington County and Wisconsin
Measure Germantown Washington County Wisconsin U.S.
Typical home value $373,600 $344,800 $266,500 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,355 $1,153 $1,087 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $100,231 $96,359 $77,485 $80,734
Households that own their home 77% 78% 68% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $4,797 $3,802 $3,792 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.28% 1.1% 1.42% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 52% 46% 44% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Washington County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Germantown

For a typical $373,600 home in Germantown, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Germantown's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $3,204a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $13,076
    Cash to close
    $24,284
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $165

  • Conventional, 5% down $3,136a month

    Down payment
    $18,680
    Cash to close
    $29,888
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $177

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $2,579a month

    Down payment
    $74,720
    Cash to close
    $85,928
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,924a month

    Down payment
    $56,040
    Cash to close
    $67,248
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Germantown and for Washington County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Germantown

1.28%of the home’s value each year

$4,797 a year for the typical owner in Germantown.

  • Germantown 1.28%
  • Washington 1.1%
  • Wisconsin 1.42%

What Wisconsin publishes Lottery and Gaming Credit for your primary residence (Wisconsin Department of Revenue)

Exemptions and deadlines in Wisconsin

Flood risk in Washington County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Washington County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
1.2%
462
Of those, with NFIP insurance
37%
County Wisconsin U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1.2% 1.4% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 37% 19% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Germantown

Typical rent in Germantown is $1,355 a month: 18% above the county. In Germantown, 52% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Washington County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,263 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $24.29 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Washington County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $985 $18.94 $39,400
1 bedroom $1,060 $20.38 $42,400
2 bedrooms $1,263 $24.29 $50,520
3 bedrooms $1,553 $29.87 $62,120
4 bedrooms $1,664 $32.00 $66,560

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Germantown

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Germantown has 2 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,420 in 53076 to $1,480 in 53022.

2 of the 2 are above the fair market rent for Washington County ($1,263).

  • 53022 $1,480$1,820
  • 53076 $1,420$1,750

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Germantown when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Germantown

HUD lists 4 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Germantown. These are the largest.

  • Prairie Meadows Phase II W168N11328 Western Ave, Germantown 53022 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 24 · In service since 2000
  • Prairie Meadows Apts W168N11278 Western Ave, Germantown 53022 40 homes, 36 low-income · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 24 · In service since 1998
  • Prairie Meadows Senior Housing III W168N11374 Western Ave, Germantown 53022 34 low-income homes · 1 bd: 18 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 2003 · For older adults
  • LSS Housing, Germantown N116W16105 Main St, Germantown 53022 5 homes, 4 low-income · For people with disabilities (262) 335-4585

See all 20 buildings in Washington County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Germantown

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Washington County; none says it serves in Spanish.

A man smiles on a bench outside his apartment building.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Germantown

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Germantown or Washington County. The ones below are statewide in Wisconsin: they work in Germantown the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Wisconsin

  • WHEDA Easy Close Advantage DPA

    Statewide in Wisconsin

    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. Offered by Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).

    Repayable

    See the program Official page

  • WHEDA Capital Access DPA

    Statewide in Wisconsin

    Limited funds remain, per the source

    $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. Offered by Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Germantown

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Germantown, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Operation Hope- Milwaukee Wi

    7500 W Good Hope Rd, Milwaukee · 8 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 6 more
    (414) 426-2239

  • Housing Resources, Incorporated

    7830 W Burleigh St, Milwaukee · 12 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Workshops for new owners
    • and 3 more
    (414) 461-6330

  • NSC (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - Milwaukee, WI

    11707 W North Ave, Wauwatosa · 13 miles away · Spanish

    Also serves in Mandarin Chinese and Vietnamese.

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (414) 442-6222

Every agency in Washington County All counseling agencies in Wisconsin

Help in Spanish near Germantown

2 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Germantown

In HUD’s record, no housing authority with an office in Washington County is named for Germantown or Washington County.

One other authority has an office in Washington County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Washington County

These cities are also in Washington County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Washington County Housing in Wisconsin

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Germantown, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Washington County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Germantown.

All guides
A couple spread mulch under the avocado trees of their family orchard, he on the tractor and she with a shovel.

Questions

Housing questions about Germantown

Short answers with the numbers for Germantown and all of Washington County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Germantown?

The typical home value in Germantown is $373,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Washington County it is $344,800.

How much does it cost to rent in Germantown?

Typical rent in Germantown is $1,355 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Washington County is $1,263.

What is the FHA loan limit in Germantown?

Germantown uses the FHA limit for all of Washington County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Germantown?

The typical homeowner in Germantown pays $4,797 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.28% of the home’s value; in Washington County, the rate is 1.1%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Germantown?

There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Washington County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).