Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Median Wauwatosa, Wisconsin effective property tax rate: 1.56%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Wisconsin state median of 1.43%.
Median Wauwatosa, Wisconsin home value: $283,100
Median annual Wauwatosa, Wisconsin tax bill: $4,545, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Milwaukee calculated?
Property taxes in Wauwatosa, 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 Wauwatosa's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Wauwatosa, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.56%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$4,416
$4,098
How Does the Wauwatosa Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Wauwatosa property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Wauwatosa's median effective tax rate of 1.56% — based on actual property records in Milwaukee County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment process uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Wauwatosa's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Wauwatosa: rates range from $3,723 in 53225 to $5,120 in 53210, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Wauwatosa.
About Wauwatosa Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Wauwatosa, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Wauwatosa's median effective property tax rate of 1.56% 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 Wauwatosa. Homeowners in the 53210 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.56%, while those in 53225 pay 1.53%. This spread — 0.03 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Milwaukee County. Understanding which part of Wauwatosa you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Wauwatosa homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before May 25, 2026.
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 Wauwatosa, 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 Wauwatosa's effective property tax rate to other cities in Wisconsin and the median property tax rates in Wisconsin and the U.S.
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 Wauwatosa Tax Rate
1.56%
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 Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53210 | 1.54% | 1.55% | 1.56% | 1.62% | 1.66% |
| 53225 | 1.50% | 1.51% | 1.53% | 1.55% | 1.62% |
| 53213 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 53222 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 53226 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
When examining property taxes in Wauwatosa, 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. The Milwaukee County appraisal district 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, assessment notices are sent in April each year.
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. The median home price in Wauwatosa is $283,100, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 53210 has the highest median home price at $315,800.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Source: Ownwell
$27,700
$417,775
$807,850
Median Wauwatosa Market Value
$283,100
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 Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53210 | $277,040 | $306,600 | $315,800 | $337,100 | $389,240 |
| 53225 | $192,900 | $208,100 | $244,300 | $281,400 | $306,200 |
| 53213 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 53222 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 53226 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
How are property tax bills calculated in Wauwatosa?
Property tax bills in Wauwatosa are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by taxing authorities. When a property’s market value changes, the assessed value can change too, which can raise or lower the bill. Factors such as location, neighborhood services, school funding, and local government budgets all play a role in determining what homeowners owe.
For a home with a median market value of $283,100, the property tax bill can vary widely across the city. The 25th percentile bill is $3,282, while the 75th percentile is $5,140. At the high end, the 90th percentile reaches $5,590. ZIP code 53210 has the highest median tax bill at $5,120, while ZIP code 53225 has the lowest at $3,723.
For homeowners, this means property taxes can be a major part of housing costs and may rise even when nothing changes about the home itself.
Median Wauwatosa Tax Bill
$4,545
Median Milwaukee County Tax Bill
$3,980
Median Wisconsin Tax Bill
$3,453
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53210 | $4,275 | $4,808 | $5,120 | $5,403 | $6,233 |
| 53225 | $2,955 | $3,305 | $3,723 | $4,331 | $4,821 |
| 53213 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 53222 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 53226 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | June 2 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee Tax Assessor | |
| Website | assessments.milwaukee.gov |