In Waterford, a typical home is worth $329,800 and typical rent is $1,374 a month. Compared with all of Racine County, the typical home value is 31% higher, typical rent is 27% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 7 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $345,426 to $448,614.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Waterford is in Racine 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 Racine County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Burlington, the typical rent is $999: 27% less than in Waterford ($1,374).
2
The typical home in Waterford is worth $329,800,31% more than in Racine County as a whole ($251,400).
3
The typical rent in Waterford is $1,374 a month, 27% more than in Racine County as a whole ($1,080).
4
Nearby, in Burlington, the typical home value is $276,600: 16% less than in Waterford ($329,800).
5
78% of households in Waterford own their home, against 71% in Racine County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Waterford
What homes there are in Waterford, 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 houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Waterford
Racine County
Wisconsin
United States
Kind of home: Waterford and its comparisons
Measure
Waterford
Racine County
Wisconsin
United States
Detached house
55%
70%
66%
61%
Attached house
18%
5%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
12%
10%
9%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
15%
17%
19%
Mobile home
3%
1%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Waterford, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Racine County, 7.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Waterford
Racine County
Wisconsin
United States
Year built: Waterford and its comparisons
Measure
Waterford
Racine County
Wisconsin
United States
Before 1960
23%
40%
33%
26%
1960–1979
11%
26%
24%
24%
1980–1999
35%
20%
22%
25%
2000–2009
21%
10%
13%
14%
2010 or later
11%
5%
9%
11%
Homes in Waterford are newer: the typical year built is 1992; in Racine County, 1968.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200K21%
$200K–$300K18%
$300K–$500K52%
$500K–$750K7%
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Waterford and its comparisons
Measure
Waterford
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
21%
$200K–$300K
18%
$300K–$500K
52%
$500K–$750K
7%
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,49941%
$1,500–$1,99934%
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Waterford and its comparisons
Measure
Waterford
Under $500
Unreliable
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
41%
$1,500–$1,999
34%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,819 a month
Racine County: $1,691 a month
Without a mortgage
$784 a month
Racine County: $690 a month
Owners with a mortgage
72%
Racine County: 66%
Owning costs more in Waterford: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,819 a month; in Racine County, $1,691. Without one, $784.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Waterford+56%
Racine County+43%
Wisconsin+48%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Waterford+40%
Racine County+26%
Wisconsin+27%
United States+33%
Typical household income
WaterfordNo clear change
Racine County+27%
Wisconsin+26%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Waterford and its comparisons
Measure
Waterford
Racine County
Wisconsin
United States
Typical home value
+56%
+43%
+48%
+53%
Typical rent
+40%
+26%
+27%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+27%
+26%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Waterford rose 56%; in Racine County, it rose 43%.
Rents in Waterford rose faster than in Racine County: 40% since 2015–2019, against 26%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Waterford and its comparisons
Measure
Waterford
Racine County
Wisconsin
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
5.7%
4.5%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.5%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.4%
1.7%
3.4%
People per household
2.30
2.39
2.33
2.53
Drive alone
81%
77%
74%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
9%
7%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
10%
13%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
2%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
By size, households in Waterford look like those in Racine County: 2.30 people on average.
To get to work, 81% of workers in Waterford drive alone; in Racine County, 77%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Waterford?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Waterford, worth $329,800, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 42% of the typical household income in Waterford, which is $82,404 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $123,118 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Racine County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Waterford. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $11,543 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$2,873
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$323,826
Total interest
$465,910
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $5,569 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,923 a month
Tight
$1,923 to $2,472 a month
Hard
more than $2,472 a month
Your payment · 42%
Compared with the typical household income in Waterford ($82,404 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$2,194
Property tax
$396
Home insurance
$137
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$146
You need at least $11,543 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
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.
Total monthly payment $2,873; principal and interest $2,194.
The city and its county
Waterford and Racine County
Waterford is in Racine 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).
Waterford
Map of Racine County, Wisconsin, with Waterford marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Waterford
Racine County
Other cities with a page
Waterford's own numbers
Typical home value
$329,800
Typical monthly rent
$1,374
Typical yearly household income
$82,404
Households that own their home
78%
Effective property tax rate
1.44%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Racine County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,283
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+57%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.8%
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 Racine County.
A typical home in Waterford is worth $329,800: 31% above the county and 24% above Wisconsin. With the typical household income in Waterford ($82,404 a year), a typical home costs 4.0 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.
Waterford4.0 years
Racine3.2 years
Wisconsin3.4 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Racine County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Racine County rose 104% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Racine County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Racine County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +4.1% +4.1% 2016
2017: +5.4% +5.4% 2017
2018: +7.8% +7.8% 2018
2019: +6.4% +6.4% 2019
2020: +2.9% +2.9% 2020
2021: +9.6% +9.6% 2021
2022: +13.7% +13.7% 2022
2023: +9.9% +9.9% 2023
2024: +6.4% +6.4% 2024
2025: +7.9% +7.9% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Racine County, Wisconsin and the United States
Period
County
Wisconsin
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+7.9%
+5.4%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+57%
+57%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+104%
+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
Waterford next to Racine 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
Waterford$329,800
Racine$251,400
Wisconsin$266,500
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Waterford$1,374
Racine$1,080
Wisconsin$1,087
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Waterford$82,404
Racine$78,096
Wisconsin$77,485
United States$80,734
See the full table
Waterford next to Racine County and Wisconsin
Measure
Waterford
Racine County
Wisconsin
U.S.
Typical home value
$329,800 ▲31% above the county
$251,400
$266,500
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,374 ▲27% above the county
$1,080
$1,087
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$82,404 ▲6% above the county
$78,096
$77,485
$80,734
Households that own their home
78% ▲7 points above the county
71%
68%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$4,763 ▲16% above the county
$4,099
$3,792
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.44% ▼0.19 points below the county
1.63%
1.42%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
33% ▼10 points below the county
43%
44%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Racine 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 Waterford
For a typical $329,800 home in Waterford, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Waterford's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,873a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$11,543
Cash to close
$21,437
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $146
Conventional, 5% down$2,812a month
Down payment
$16,490
Cash to close
$26,384
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $157
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$2,321a month
Down payment
$65,960
Cash to close
$75,854
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,625a month
Down payment
$49,470
Cash to close
$59,364
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Waterford
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,873
$11,543
$323,826
7.18%
FHA MIP · $146
$21,437
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,812
$16,490
$313,310
7.18%
PMI · $157
$26,384
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$2,321
$65,960
$263,840
7.18%
None
$75,854
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,625
$49,470
$280,330
8.18%
None
$59,364
Set by the lender
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.
Typical rent in Waterford is $1,374 a month: 27% above the county. In Waterford, 33% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Racine County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,283 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $24.67 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Racine County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$926
$17.81
$37,040
1 bedroom
$1,036
$19.92
$41,440
2 bedrooms
$1,283
$24.67
$51,320
3 bedrooms
$1,639
$31.52
$65,560
4 bedrooms
$1,984
$38.15
$79,360
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 Waterford
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Waterford is in ZIP code 53185.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,450: $167 more than the fair market rent for Racine County ($1,283).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Waterford, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
53185
$1,050
$1,170
$1,450
$1,850
$2,240
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
53185 $1,450$1,850
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Waterford 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 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
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 Racine County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Waterford or Racine County. The ones below are statewide in Wisconsin: they work in Waterford the same as in the rest of the state.
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).
$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).
No legal help resource on our list is for Waterford or Racine County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Waterford and all of Racine 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 Waterford?
The typical home value in Waterford is $329,800, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Racine County it is $251,400.
How much does it cost to rent in Waterford?
Typical rent in Waterford is $1,374 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Racine County is $1,283.
What is the FHA loan limit in Waterford?
Waterford uses the FHA limit for all of Racine 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 Waterford?
The typical homeowner in Waterford pays $4,763 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.44% of the home’s value; in Racine County, the rate is 1.63%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Waterford?
There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Racine County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
