The median home price in Wisconsin is $275,000, with a current 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.95%. A buyer putting 20% down on the median home would carry a loan of $220,000, resulting in a monthly principal and interest payment of $1,456. Once property taxes and insurance are added, total monthly housing costs reach $1,974.
Property taxes in Wisconsin average 1.76% — well above the national average of 1.1%. On the median Wisconsin home, that adds $403/month to your housing costs, which lenders factor directly into your debt-to-income ratio.
Wisconsin levies a state income tax of 3.54%–7.65%, which affects take-home pay and therefore what you can realistically budget for housing. Mortgage interest may be deductible on both federal and Wisconsin state returns — consult a tax professional for your situation.