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City · 16,719 residents · Pierce County, Wisconsin

River Falls , Wisconsin

In River Falls, a typical home is worth $327,600 and typical rent is $1,107 a month. Compared with all of Pierce County, typical household income is 9% lower, typical rent is 6% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 20 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $327,600

    About the same as the county

    23% above Wisconsin

    • River Falls
    • Pierce
    • Wisconsin

  • Typical rent

    $1,107a month

    6% above the county

    About the same as Wisconsin

    • River Falls
    • Pierce
    • Wisconsin

  • Typical household income

    $83,627a year

    9% below the county

    8% above Wisconsin

    • River Falls
    • Pierce
    • Wisconsin

  • Households that own their home

    55%

    20 points below the county

    13 points below Wisconsin

    • River Falls
    • Pierce
    • Wisconsin

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$415,404
3.6% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,771 a month
4.5% more than 12 months ago

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

River Falls is in Pierce County. The FHA loan limit ($552,000 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Pierce County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets River Falls apart

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

  1. 55% of households in River Falls own their home, against 75% in Pierce County.

  2. Nearby, in Menomonie, the typical home value is $220,800: 33% less than in River Falls ($327,600).

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

The homes here

Housing in River Falls

What homes there are in River Falls, 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

Detached houses are the majority in River Falls (52%), but less so than in Pierce County (74%).

Year built

The typical home in River Falls was built in 1990, 10 years after the typical one in Pierce County.

There are fewer big homes in River Falls than in Pierce County: 57% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 67%.

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
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,836 a month

Pierce County: $2,008 a month

Without a mortgage

$720 a month

Pierce County: $791 a month

Owners with a mortgage

69%

Pierce County: 64%

Owning costs less in River Falls: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,836 a month; in Pierce County, $2,008. Without one, $720.

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

Since 2015–2019, homes in River Falls gained value faster than in Pierce County: 66% against 60%.

Rents in River Falls rose faster than in Pierce County: 24% since 2015–2019, against 20%.

To compare: typical income in River Falls rose 41%; the home, +66%; the rent, +24%.

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

MeasureRiver FallsPierce 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 estimate1.1%1.7%3.4%
People per household 2.502.532.332.53
Drive alone 75%75%74%69%
Carpool 5%6%7%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike 7%5%3%3%
Work from home 12%13%13%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes

By size, households in River Falls look like those in Pierce County: 2.50 people on average.

To get to work, 75% of workers in River Falls drive alone; in Pierce County, 75%.

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 River Falls?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in River Falls, worth $327,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 41% of the typical household income in River Falls, which is $83,627 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $122,063 a year.

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

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in River Falls. 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 $11,466 (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

$2,848

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$321,666
Total interest
$462,802
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $5,532 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,951 a month

  • Tight

    $1,951 to $2,509 a month

  • Hard

    more than $2,509 a month

    Your payment · 41%

Compared with the typical household income in River Falls ($83,627 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,848
Principal & interest$2,179
Property tax$388
Home insurance$137
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$145

You need at least $11,466 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

River Falls and Pierce County

River Falls is in Pierce 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).

River Falls's own numbers

Typical home value
$327,600
Typical monthly rent
$1,107
Typical yearly household income
$83,627
Households that own their home
55%
Effective property tax rate
1.42%

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

Numbers for all of Pierce County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$552,000
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,734
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+47%
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 Pierce County.

Everything about Pierce County

Buying

Buying a home in River Falls

A typical home in River Falls is worth $327,600: about the same as the county and 23% above Wisconsin. With the typical household income in River Falls ($83,627 a year), a typical home costs 3.9 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.

  • River Falls 3.9 years
  • Pierce 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 Pierce County

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

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

Period County Wisconsin U.S.
Last year (2025) +4.0% +5.4% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +47% +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

River Falls next to Pierce 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
  • River Falls $327,600
  • Pierce $333,700
  • Wisconsin $266,500
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • River Falls $1,107
  • Pierce $1,044
  • Wisconsin $1,087
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • River Falls $83,627
  • Pierce $92,109
  • Wisconsin $77,485
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
River Falls next to Pierce County and Wisconsin
Measure River Falls Pierce County Wisconsin U.S.
Typical home value $327,600 $333,700 $266,500 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,107 $1,044 $1,087 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $83,627 $92,109 $77,485 $80,734
Households that own their home 55% 75% 68% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $4,638 $4,551 $3,792 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.42% 1.36% 1.42% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 33% 39% 44% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Pierce 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 River Falls

For a typical $327,600 home in River Falls, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, River Falls's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $2,848a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $11,466
    Cash to close
    $21,294
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $145

  • Conventional, 5% down $2,788a month

    Down payment
    $16,380
    Cash to close
    $26,208
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $156

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $2,300a month

    Down payment
    $65,520
    Cash to close
    $75,348
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,602a month

    Down payment
    $49,140
    Cash to close
    $58,968
    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 River Falls and for Pierce County.

Property tax

Effective rate in River Falls

1.42%of the home’s value each year

$4,638 a year for the typical owner in River Falls.

  • River Falls 1.42%
  • Pierce 1.36%
  • 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 Pierce County

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

Homes in the high-risk zone
1.2%
153
Of those, with NFIP insurance
26%
County Wisconsin U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1.2% 1.4% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 26% 19% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in River Falls

Typical rent in River Falls is $1,107 a month: 6% above the county. In River Falls, 33% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Pierce County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,734 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $33.35 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Pierce 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 $1,265 $24.33 $50,600
1 bedroom $1,427 $27.44 $57,080
2 bedrooms $1,734 $33.35 $69,360
3 bedrooms $2,264 $43.54 $90,560
4 bedrooms $2,538 $48.81 $101,520

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 River Falls

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). River Falls is in ZIP code 54022.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,540: $194 less than the fair market rent for Pierce County ($1,734).

  • 54022 $1,540$2,040

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for River Falls 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 River Falls

HUD lists 6 buildings with rents for lower incomes in River Falls. These are the largest.

  • Village Park Apts 1536 S Wasson Ln, River Falls 54022 40 homes, 39 low-income · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 18 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 1996
  • River Falls Terrace 405 S Wasson Ln, River Falls 54022 32 low-income homes · 2 bd: 26 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 2018 · For families (715) 425-0251
  • Red Cedar Estates 1450 Cemetery Rd, River Falls 54022 24 low-income homes · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2003 · For families
  • Red Cedar Estates II 1510 Cemetery Rd, River Falls 54022 24 low-income homes · 2 bd: 17 · 3 bd: 7 · In service since 2003 · For families
  • Windmill Place 914 S Main St, River Falls 54022 24 homes, 10 low-income · 1 bd: 5 · 2 bd: 19 · In service since 2007

See all 17 buildings in Pierce County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in River Falls

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.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Pierce County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A man listens closely, seated at a meeting table.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in River Falls

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for River Falls or Pierce County. The ones below are statewide in Wisconsin: they work in River Falls 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 River Falls

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

  • Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc

    1 Better Way, Eau Claire · 56 miles away · Spanish

    Also serves in American Sign Language (ASL) and Hmong.

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Homelessness services
    • and 2 more
    (715) 836-7511

  • First Nations Community Financial

    206 S Roosevelt Rd Ste 123, Black River Falls · 96 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Workshops for new owners
    • and 3 more
    (715) 284-2470

  • CCCS of Sheboygan

    505 King Street, Suite 212, La Crosse · 99 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 4 more
    (844) 307-7220

All counseling agencies in Wisconsin

Help in Spanish near River Falls

1 of the 3 agencies on this list says it serves 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 River Falls

HUD lists no housing authority with an office in Pierce County. One in a neighboring county or the state’s may serve the area.

All housing agencies in Wisconsin Source: HUD

Cities

Nearby cities

The cities closest to River Falls, with the typical home value.

Everything about Pierce County Housing in Wisconsin

Neighboring counties

If Pierce 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 River Falls.

All guides
A father and mother walk their son by the hand down the sidewalk.

Questions

Housing questions about River Falls

Short answers with the numbers for River Falls and all of Pierce 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 River Falls?

The typical home value in River Falls is $327,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Pierce County it is $333,700.

How much does it cost to rent in River Falls?

Typical rent in River Falls is $1,107 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Pierce County is $1,734.

What is the FHA loan limit in River Falls?

River Falls uses the FHA limit for all of Pierce County (2026): $552,000 for a one-unit home and $1,061,550 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in River Falls?

The typical homeowner in River Falls pays $4,638 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.42% of the home’s value; in Pierce County, the rate is 1.36%.

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

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Pierce County; the nearest ones are on this page. 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).