South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Property Taxes
Property Taxes in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Median South Milwaukee, Wisconsin effective property tax rate: 1.73%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Wisconsin state median of 1.43%.
Median South Milwaukee, Wisconsin home value: $233,900
Median annual South Milwaukee, Wisconsin tax bill: $4,216, $1,816 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Milwaukee calculated?
Property taxes in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding South Milwaukee's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in South Milwaukee, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.73%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$4,046
$3,755
How Does the South Milwaukee Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this South Milwaukee property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies South Milwaukee's median effective tax rate of 1.73% — based on actual property records in Milwaukee County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessor uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies South Milwaukee's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
South Milwaukee's median effective tax rate is higher than Wisconsin's 1.43% median rate, and the city's median property tax bill of $4,216 is $1,816 higher than the state median bill. By ZIP code, the median bill is the same across the city, with 53172 posting both the highest and lowest median tax bill.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across South Milwaukee.
About South Milwaukee Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in South Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
South Milwaukee's median effective property tax rate of 1.73% is higher than the Wisconsin state median of 1.43% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Milwaukee County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across South Milwaukee. Homeowners in the 53172 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.73%, while those in the same ZIP pay 1.73%. This spread — 0 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Milwaukee County. Understanding which part of South Milwaukee you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
South Milwaukee homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the May 25, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare South Milwaukee's effective property tax rate to other cities in Wisconsin and the median property tax rates in Wisconsin and the U.S.
Property Tax Rates Across South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Source: Ownwell
1.53%
1.87%
2.21%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective South Milwaukee Tax Rate
1.73%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Milwaukee County Tax Rate
1.97%
Median Effective Wisconsin Tax Rate
1.43%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53172 | 1.71% | 1.72% | 1.73% | 1.83% | 1.91% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
When examining property taxes in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, understanding the distinction between market value and assessed value is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. Milwaukee County estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices in Milwaukee County are sent in April each year and typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill.
For example, the median home price in South Milwaukee is $233,900, with a median tax bill of $4,216. The highest median home price in the county is also $233,900 in ZIP code 53172.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Source: Ownwell
$27,700
$417,775
$807,850
Median South Milwaukee Market Value
$233,900
Median Milwaukee County Market Value
$207,700
Median Wisconsin Market Value
$237,700
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53172 | $174,460 | $201,200 | $233,900 | $277,900 | $325,400 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Property tax bills in South Milwaukee are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the market value of the property. Local taxing authorities use that assessed value to determine how much each homeowner owes, so the bill can change when property values or tax rates change.
For a home with a median price of $233,900, the tax bill is a major part of housing costs. In South Milwaukee, the tax bill typically falls between $3,582 and $4,975, with a 90th percentile bill of $5,830. The median tax bill in ZIP code 53172 is $4,216.
These bills affect homeowners directly by increasing monthly housing expenses and shaping long-term affordability. Compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and the national median property tax bill of $2,400, South Milwaukee homeowners often face a higher tax burden.
Property Tax Bills Across South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Source: Ownwell
$530
$8,719
$16,907
Median South Milwaukee Tax Bill
$4,216
Median Milwaukee County Tax Bill
$3,980
Median Wisconsin Tax Bill
$3,453
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53172 | $3,072 | $3,582 | $4,216 | $4,975 | $5,830 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | June 2 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee Tax Assessor | |
| Website | assessments.milwaukee.gov |