Mortgage rates in Wisconsin
30-yr fixed 7.18% · Freddie Mac PMMS, week of Nov 5, 2026 · APR benchmark 7.19% (APOR for locks from Nov 9, 2026) · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 by the Editorial Team
Wisconsin’s property-tax rate ranks among the highest in the Midwest.
Mortgage rates today by loan type
These are national averages. Lenders in Wisconsin price off the same national market, so treat them as a benchmark: your quote depends on your credit, down payment, loan size and points. The APR benchmark folds in typical points and fees, so it shows what a prime borrower's APR looks like this week.
| Loan type | Avg rate | APR benchmarkAPOR | Source · as of | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30-year fixed | 7.18% | 7.19% | Freddie Mac PMMSNov 5, 2026 | Conventional purchase loans, 20% down, strong credit; weekly survey |
| 20-year fixed | 6.66% | 6.93% | Zillow (via NerdWallet)Nov 6, 2026 | Lender-quoted average; checked by hand every two weeks |
| 15-year fixed | 6.57% | 6.67% | Freddie Mac PMMSNov 5, 2026 | Conventional purchase loans, 20% down, strong credit; weekly survey |
| 10-year fixed | 6.31% | 6.82% | Zillow (via NerdWallet)Nov 6, 2026 | Lender-quoted average; checked by hand every two weeks |
| 5-year ARM | 6.73% | 6.67% | Zillow (via NerdWallet)Nov 6, 2026 | Fixed for 5 years, then adjusts; APOR = prime ARM benchmark |
| 7-year ARM | — | 6.50% | APOR, locks from Nov 9, 2026 | No free rate series; APOR benchmark only |
| 10-year ARM | — | 6.63% | APOR, locks from Nov 9, 2026 | No free rate series; APOR benchmark only |
| FHA 30-year | 6.89% | — | Optimal Blue OBMMINov 5, 2026 | Locked FHA loans, all credit profiles; daily |
| VA 30-year | 6.71% | — | Optimal Blue OBMMINov 5, 2026 | Locked VA loans; daily |
| USDA 30-year | 6.86% | — | Optimal Blue OBMMINov 5, 2026 | Locked USDA loans; daily |
| Jumbo 30-year | 7.25% | — | Optimal Blue OBMMINov 5, 2026 | Locked loans above the conforming limit; daily |
APR benchmark = FFIEC/CFPB Average Prime Offer Rate for rate locks in the week starting Nov 9, 2026 (published in advance): a prime borrower's APR including typical points and fees. It is not a quote; your APR depends on credit, down payment and the points you pay. APOR is not published for FHA, VA, USDA or jumbo loans.
Wisconsin mortgage calculator
The calculator starts from Wisconsin's median list price, 20% down, the state's 1.22% effective property tax, its median insurance premium and its average closing costs. Switch to FHA or VA, change the down payment, or pick your county to set its conforming limit. For the month-by-month split of principal and interest, open the amortization schedule tool. To see how Wisconsin's property tax and insurance compare with every other state, try the PITI and escrow calculator.
Wisconsin vs. the U.S.
Wisconsin's median list price is 7% below the U.S. median, so at the same 7.18% rate the principal and interest on a 20%-down loan runs $163 a month less. Home values rose faster than the national average over the latest year, which builds equity sooner and can let PMI come off earlier on a low-down-payment loan. Five-year price growth here was the 8th-fastest of 51 jurisdictions.
| Measure | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median list priceRealtor.com, Oct 2026 | $385,000 | $415,000 |
| Principal + interest, 20% down30-yr avg 7.18% | $2,086 | $2,249 |
| Average home-purchase loanHMDA 2025 | $329,703 | $404,828 |
| Average closing costsincl. transfer taxes | $2,741 | $4,661 |
| Median conventional rate paid2025 purchase loans | 6.63% | 6.50% |
| Mortgage approval rateHMDA 2025 | 82.9% | 76.6% |
| Home values, 1 yearFHFA index, Q2 2026 | +5.6% | +3.0% |
| Home values, 5 yearsFHFA index, Q2 2026 | +54.0% | +41.3% |
What Wisconsin borrowers actually paid in 2025
This is the state-specific part. Federal HMDA records show the rate and costs on every Wisconsin home-purchase loan closed in 2025. We compare like with like: 30-year fixed, first-lien, one-unit primary homes. On conventional loans, Wisconsin borrowers paid 0.01 percentage points below the market benchmark at lock, the 16th-lowest of all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
| 2025 purchase loans | Median rateWI · U.S. | Over benchmarkWI · U.S. | Closing costsWI · U.S. | Paid pointsshare of loans | Median downequity on refis · WI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional 30-yr fixed (conforming, 20%+ down)13,320 loans | 6.63%6.50% | −0.01+0.02 | $3,162$5,476 | 34.0%53.2% | 24.7% |
| Jumbo 30-yr fixed (20%+ down)100 loans | 6.63%6.63% | +0.01+0.00 | $3,635$10,251 | 26.0%38.4% | 20% |
| FHA 30-yr fixed3,683 loans | 6.63%6.25% | +0.73+0.42 | $8,850$11,291 | 53.8%59.3% | 3.5% |
| VA 30-yr fixed3,176 loans | 6.25%6.13% | −0.21−0.36 | $4,756$6,554 | 51.5%59.3% | 0% |
| Conventional rate-and-term refinance3,355 loans | 6.38%6.38% | −0.07−0.06 | $2,448$4,390 | 31.1%45.4% | 30.6% |
Source: 2025 HMDA loan-level records (FFIEC/CFPB), medians. "Over benchmark" = rate spread, the APR minus APOR on the lock date, which removes the effect of when each loan locked. Closing costs = total loan costs on the Closing Disclosure. HMDA has no credit scores, so these are what borrowers paid, not what you will be offered. See the lenders active in Wisconsin and what their borrowers paid.
Wisconsin's biggest conventional lenders: what their borrowers paid
The 8 largest conventional lenders in Wisconsin by 2025 purchase loans, out of 715 that made one. Each row is the median for that lender's comparable loans here: 30-year fixed, conforming, 20% or more down. A lower figure over the benchmark means cheaper pricing for the same week.
| Lender | 2025 loansshare in WI | Median rate | Over benchmark | Originationmedian | Paid pointsshare · median | Median down |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summit Credit Union | 2,3454.2% | 6.63% | −0.07 | $425 | 33%$1,097 | 25% |
| University of Wisconsin Credit Union | 2,0093.6% | 6.63% | −0.08 | $365 | 35%$1,731 | 25% |
| Fairway Independent Mortgage | 1,9203.5% | 6.75% | +0.15 | $1,798 | 48%$1,715 | 22% |
| Associated Bank, National Association | 1,8603.4% | 6.50% | −0.21 | $900 | 31%$246 | 25% |
| Johnson Financial Group | 1,4552.6% | 6.55% | −0.09 | $640 | 21%$534 | 25% |
| Landmark Credit Union | 1,3262.4% | 6.63% | +0.02 | $799 | 14%$661 | 24.5% |
| United Wholesale Mortgage | 1,2292.2% | 6.53% | +0.01 | $1,790 | 37%$1,195 | 22.6% |
| Rocket Mortgage | 1,1572.1% | 6.63% | +0.11 | $3,109 | 63%$2,800 | 21% |
Source: 2025 HMDA loan-level records (FFIEC/CFPB), lenders with at least 30 comparable loans in Wisconsin. Minimum credit scores are not shown here: conventional loans usually start at 620 (a lender floor; Fannie Mae's automated underwriting sets none), FHA 580 (500 with 10% down), VA none set by VA (lenders often 620). HMDA has no credit scores, so a lender's medians reflect its own mix of borrowers. FHA and VA lenders: Wisconsin lender rankings.
How rates have moved
Weekly national averages over the past 30 days to 5 years. The 30- and 15-year lines are Freddie Mac average rates; the ARM lines are the APOR APR benchmark, because no free weekly ARM rate series exists.
- Now
- 7.18%
- Nov 5, 2026
- 1 week ago
- 7.24%
- −0.06 pts
- 1 month ago
- 7.40%
- −0.22 pts
- 1 year ago
- 6.22%
- +0.96 pts
30-year fixed: Freddie Mac PMMS (rate), weekly. National series.
What a mortgage costs in Wisconsin
On a home at Wisconsin's median list price of $385,000 with 20% down, the financed amount is $308,000, or about $2,086 a month in principal and interest at the 7.18% 30-year average.
What makes Wisconsin different is the cost around the loan. Its 1.22% effective property-tax rate adds roughly $391 a month, and homeowners insurance — at the state's median 0.38% of home value — about $120 more, bringing the all-in estimate to $2,598. That figure is principal and interest at the 30-year average, property tax and insurance; at 20% down a conventional loan has no PMI, and HOA dues or local special assessments are not included. Your own price and down payment will move the number — work backward from your income with the affordability check.
Payment at the $385,000 median list price by down payment and loan type
| Loan | Rate | Monthlyall-in | Mortgage ins. | Cash to close | Income needed28% rule · yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional, 20% downNo PMI | 7.18%Freddie Mac 30-yr avg | $2,598P&I $2,086 | — | $79,741 | $111,000 |
| Conventional, 10% downPMI est. 0.7%/yr | 7.18%Freddie Mac 30-yr avg | $3,061P&I $2,347 | $202 | $41,241 | $131,000 |
| Conventional, 5% downPMI est. 0.7%/yr | 7.18%Freddie Mac 30-yr avg | $3,203P&I $2,478 | $213 | $21,991 | $137,000 |
| Conventional, 3% downPMI est. 0.7%/yr | 7.18%Freddie Mac 30-yr avg | $3,259P&I $2,530 | $218 | $14,291 | $140,000 |
| FHA, 3.5% down1.75% upfront MIP financed + annual MIP | 6.89%OBMMI FHA avg | $3,169P&I $2,487 | $170 | $16,216 | $136,000 |
| VA, 0% down2.15% funding fee financed; no monthly MI | 6.71%OBMMI VA avg | $3,052P&I $2,540 | — | $2,741 | $131,000 |
Monthly = principal and interest + property tax (1.22% effective) + homeowners insurance (about $120/mo — Wisconsin's median premium, 0.38% of home value) + mortgage insurance. HOA dues and local special assessments are not included. Cash to close = down payment + Wisconsin's average closing costs ($2,741). PMI is an illustrative 0.7% a year; FHA and VA figures use HUD's MIP schedule and VA's first-use funding fee. Income needed = the gross yearly income at which the monthly figure is 28% of pay, the classic housing-cost guideline. Lenders also limit your total monthly debts as a share of income, so car, student-loan and card payments raise the income you need.
Prices, loan limits and payments in Wisconsin's biggest counties
Home prices, and so the loan you need, vary more inside Wisconsin than rates do. The table covers the largest county markets. Pick a row to load it into the calculator above.
| County | Median list priceSep 2026 · yr/yr | Avg purchase loanHMDA 2025 | Conforming limitmax price at 20% down | At 20% down | Est. paymentP&I + tax + ins. | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee County1,837 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $292,000+2.5% | $308,3528,893 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$233,600 loan | $1,971at 7.18% | |
| Dane County1,181 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $480,125-0.9% | $508,8866,551 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$384,100 loan | $3,240at 7.18% | |
| Waukesha County1,067 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $592,450+3% | $432,1554,829 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$473,960 loan | $3,998at 7.18% | |
| Brown County838 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $429,900-16.7% | $339,9103,055 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$343,920 loan | $2,901at 7.18% | |
| Walworth County516 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $494,170-0.3% | $437,7411,233 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$395,336 loan | $3,335at 7.18% | |
| Racine County513 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $352,423-3.7% | $288,5982,271 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$281,938 loan | $2,378at 7.18% | |
| Outagamie County508 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $399,9000% | $319,1782,518 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$319,920 loan | $2,699at 7.18% | |
| Washington County425 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $439,700-3.7% | $353,5791,724 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$351,760 loan | $2,967at 7.18% | |
| Winnebago County420 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $319,900-5.5% | $277,1042,186 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$255,920 loan | $2,159at 7.18% | |
| Kenosha County378 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $389,900+5.4% | $308,7161,628 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$311,920 loan | $2,631at 7.18% | |
| Rock County336 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $383,599+5.9% | $253,5052,167 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$306,879 loan | $2,589at 7.18% | |
| St. Croix County334 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $463,450-3.4% | $393,5311,287 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$370,760 loan | $3,128at 7.18% |
Sources: Realtor.com county research data (median listing price, Sep 2026); FHFA 2026 one-unit conforming limits; 2025 HMDA home-purchase originations (average loan, all loan types). Payments use the 30-year average (7.18%, or the jumbo average 7.25% above the limit), Wisconsin's 1.22% effective property tax and its median insurance premium (0.38% of value), both from Census ACS 2024 data; county tax rates differ. Max price at 20% down = the county limit ÷ 0.8, the highest price at which a 20%-down loan stays conforming. Homes for sale = active Realtor.com listings in the month, excluding pending sales.
What's different about buying a home in Wisconsin
Rates are national, but the rules around the loan are not. These Wisconsin specifics can change your payment, your closing or your protections as a borrower.
Both spouses sign later mortgages on a homestead
Wisconsin requires each spouse to sign, or join in, any mortgage or other conveyance that alienates a married person's interest in a homestead. The exception is a purchase-money mortgage, which only the purchaser needs to sign. A later refinance or home equity loan on the home generally needs both spouses' signatures.
Source: docs.legis.wisconsin.govForeclosure sales wait six months after judgment
Wisconsin forecloses through the courts, and a sale on an owner-occupied one- to four-family home generally cannot be held until 6 months after judgment for a mortgage signed on or after April 27, 2016. If the mortgage allows and the lender waives any deficiency, the wait is 3 months.
Source: docs.legis.wisconsin.govLottery and gaming credit transfers with the home
Wisconsin's lottery and gaming credit reduces the property tax bill on a primary residence, and it stays with the property when the home is sold. The Department of Revenue says to consider it when prorating taxes between buyer and seller. A buyer who lives in the home should apply for it.
Source: revenue.wi.govCondition report due within 10 days of acceptance
Under chapter 709, a Wisconsin seller generally must give the buyer a completed real estate condition report within 10 days after the contract is accepted. A buyer who does not receive it can rescind within 2 business days after that period ends and get deposits back, so that deadline sits early in the transaction.
Source: docs.legis.wisconsin.govChecked against official sources on October 19, 2026. Laws and programs change; confirm details with the agency named or a local real estate attorney.
How Wisconsin buyers finance their homes
Wisconsin leans conventional: 89.6% of 2025 originations were conventional loans (U.S. 78.0%), while FHA made up 5.6% and VA 4.6% — below the national 13.2% and 8.2%. Government-backed loans are still widely available; they are simply a smaller slice of what borrowers here choose.
| Loan type | Share in WI | U.S. share | Approval in WI | Avg loan in WI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 89.6% | 78.0% | 83.6% | $243,425 |
| FHA | 5.6% | 13.2% | 72.7% | $263,642 |
| VA | 4.6% | 8.2% | 83.6% | $327,287 |
| USDA | 0.3% | 0.6% | 86.5% | $190,592 |
The average Wisconsin home loan in 2025 was $248,243 — 30% below the U.S. average of $352,861, the 12th-smallest of 51 jurisdictions. Home purchases accounted for 56.7% of those loans (U.S. 64.2%); cash-out refinances for 18.9% (U.S. 17.1%).
Source: 2025 HMDA originations, FFIEC/CFPB. Approval = originated ÷ (originated + denied).
Wisconsin loan limits for 2026
All 72 of Wisconsin's counties use the 2026 baseline conforming limit of $832,750 for a one-unit home. Any loan above that is a jumbo loan here, which usually means a larger down payment and cash reserves. See the full national grid in our loan limits by property type.
County limits: FHFA 2026 conforming loan limit list (one-unit properties; two- to four-unit limits are higher).
Cash you'll need to close in Wisconsin
Average closing costs in Wisconsin are about $2,741 including transfer taxes (No. 40 of 51, highest first). On a home at the median list price of $385,000:
| 20% down | 3% down | |
|---|---|---|
| Down payment | $77,000 | $11,550 |
| Average closing costs | $2,741 | $2,741 |
| Cash to close (estimate) | $79,741 | $14,291 |
Prepaid taxes and insurance are extra. Closing-cost averages by state (source: Bankrate).
Transfer taxes and recording rules in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's real estate transfer fee is $0.30 per $100 of value (0.3%), imposed on the seller and collected by the register of deeds; the county keeps 20%. Source: revenue.wi.gov
Getting approved in Wisconsin
Federal HMDA lending records show Wisconsin lenders originated 154,669 home loans in 2025 and denied 31,807 applications — an approval rate near 82.9% among decisioned applications, against 76.6% nationwide. See how all 50 states compare in our mortgage approval study, and how Wisconsin ranks for CFPB complaint data (4,697 on record).
Shopping for a loan? See the most active mortgage lenders in Wisconsin, ranked by federal HMDA volume.
Down-payment help in Wisconsin
You rarely need 20% down. These are the main programs from WHEDA, Wisconsin's housing finance agency; they are offered through participating lenders, usually alongside the agency's own first mortgage.
Easy Close DPA
WHEDA's down-payment assistance of $1,000 up to 6% of the price, as a 10-year fixed second mortgage at the first mortgage's rate; with a WHEDA first mortgage it can mean close to 100% financing.
Source: wheda.comCapital Access DPA
A $7,500, 0% second mortgage with no monthly payments, repaid when the first mortgage is paid off or refinanced; it reopened in January 2026 with limited, first-come funding and lower income limits.
Source: wheda.comChecked against official sources on October 9, 2026. Assistance amounts, income limits and funding change during the year — confirm current terms with WHEDA or a participating lender.
Wisconsin MCC: 25%–40% of your mortgage interest back as a tax credit
WHEDA's Tax Advantage MCC is 25% statewide and 40% for qualified veterans or homes in target areas, up to $2,000 a year. Borrowers using WHEDA's FTHB/VALOR preferred pricing can't also get an MCC. Estimate your MCC credit.
Check current terms at WHEDA, see how a smaller down payment changes your number with the minimum down payment tool, or compare first-time buyer help by state.
How these numbers are measured
- Freddie Mac PMMS (30- and 15-year): a weekly average of rates offered to borrowers with 20% down and strong credit, published Thursdays; latest week Nov 5, 2026. Points are not reported.
- Optimal Blue OBMMI (FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo): daily averages of rates actually locked, across credit profiles. Points vary by loan.
- APOR (APR benchmark): FFIEC/CFPB's weekly Average Prime Offer Rate, an APR that includes typical points and fees for a prime borrower. Regulators use it to flag higher-priced loans.
- HMDA 2025 (Wisconsin vs U.S.): rates, costs, points and down payments on loans that actually closed, reported by lenders to federal regulators. Updated once a year.
- Census ACS 2024 (property tax and insurance): what homeowners with a mortgage in Wisconsin reported paying — the median real-estate tax divided by the median home value, and the median insurance premium as a share of value. Updated once a year.
- Interest rate vs APR: the rate sets your payment; the APR adds points and lender fees spread over the loan. Compare APRs on Loan Estimates for the same day and loan type.
Rates and APOR refresh every week; HMDA, loan limits and closing-cost averages refresh when their publishers release new data. Reviewed by our data editors. Full sources and formulas: how these figures are built.
Wisconsin mortgage FAQ
What is a good mortgage rate in Wisconsin right now?
A 30-year fixed close to the national average of 7.18% (Freddie Mac, week of Nov 5, 2026) is a fair benchmark for a borrower with strong credit and 20% down. In 2025, Wisconsin's conventional buyers paid a median 6.63%.
Quotes well above that usually reflect lower credit, a small down payment or lender credits taken in exchange for a higher rate.
Are mortgage rates higher in Wisconsin than in other states?
No, if anything slightly lower, once timing and fees are counted. In 2025 HMDA records, Wisconsin's median conventional 30-year rate was 6.63%, against 6.50% nationally.
Against the benchmark for each loan's lock week, which counts points and fees, Wisconsin loans priced 0.01 percentage points below it (the 16th-lowest of all 50 states and the District of Columbia), against 0.02 above nationally.
Rates are set mainly in one national market, so your credit, down payment and loan size matter more.
What are current jumbo mortgage rates in Wisconsin?
The national jumbo 30-year average is 7.25% (Optimal Blue). In 2025, Wisconsin's jumbo buyers paid a median 6.63%. A loan is jumbo above the $832,750 conforming limit, which applies in every Wisconsin county.
Jumbo lenders typically want 10–20% down, a 700+ credit score and 6–12 months of reserves.
Should I choose a 15-year or 30-year mortgage?
On a $308,000 loan (20% down on Wisconsin's median list price), a 30-year at 7.18% costs $2,086 a month and a 15-year at 6.57% costs $2,695.
The 15-year saves about $266,062 in interest but needs $608 more a month, so it fits only if that payment is comfortable.
How much does a 1% difference in mortgage rates change my monthly payment?
On a $308,000 loan (20% down on Wisconsin's median list price), moving from 7.18% to 8.18% raises the principal-and-interest payment from $2,086 to $2,299, or $212 a month.
Over 30 years that is about $76,414 more in interest, which is why comparing several lenders on the same day matters.
Are mortgage rates different for purchase and refinance loans?
Yes, slightly. In 2025, Wisconsin's conventional rate-and-term refinances closed at a median 6.38% and purchases at 6.63%, partly because refinances bunch up when rates dip. Refinances priced 0.07 percentage points below the market benchmark; cash-out refinances usually cost more. Your own pricing depends on credit, loan-to-value and points.
How much is a mortgage on a $400,000 house in Wisconsin?
About $2,699 a month with 20% down at 7.18%: $2,168 principal and interest, $407 property tax at Wisconsin's 1.22% effective rate and $125 homeowners insurance. With 10% down, PMI adds about $210 and the total is near $3,180.
Wisconsin's property tax runs above the U.S. median (1.22% vs 0.91% of value), and insurance below the U.S. median (0.38% vs 0.40% of value).
How much do you need to make to afford a $400,000 house in Wisconsin?
About $116,000 a year with 20% down, so the $2,699 monthly payment stays within 28% of gross income — or about $136,000 with 10% down once PMI is added.
Car, student-loan and card payments count too: conventional loans generally cap all monthly debts at 45% of income (50% with an automated approval), FHA at 43% (up to 57% with compensating factors).
What down payment assistance is available in Wisconsin?
WHEDA, the state housing finance agency, runs Easy Close DPA and Capital Access DPA, offered through participating lenders. Help usually comes as a grant or a deferred or forgivable second loan paired with the agency's first mortgage.
Amounts, income limits and funding change during the year, so confirm current terms with WHEDA or a participating lender before you apply.
- Freddie Mac — Primary Mortgage Market Survey
- FFIEC / CFPB — Average Prime Offer Rates (APOR)
- FFIEC / CFPB — HMDA data browser (2025 loan-level records)
- Optimal Blue OBMMI via FRED (FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo)
- FHFA — 2026 conforming loan limits by county
- U.S. Census Bureau — 2024 American Community Survey microdata (property tax and homeowners insurance)
- HUD — Handbook 4000.1 (FHA mortgage insurance)
Rates shown are national weekly averages for general guidance, not an offer or personalized quote. Payment estimates assume the down payment noted plus estimated taxes and insurance. Confirm current pricing with a licensed lender.