Waukesha, Waukesha County, Wisconsin Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Waukesha, Wisconsin
Median Waukesha, Wisconsin effective property tax rate: 1.38%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Wisconsin state median of 1.43%.
Median Waukesha, Wisconsin home value: $350,657
Median annual Waukesha, Wisconsin tax bill: $4,058, $1,658 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Waukesha County calculated?
Property taxes in Waukesha, 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 Waukesha's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Waukesha, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Waukesha, Waukesha County, Wisconsin Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.38%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$4,839
$4,491
How Does the Waukesha Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Waukesha property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Waukesha's median effective tax rate of 1.38% — based on actual property records in Waukesha 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 Waukesha'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 Waukesha: rates range from $3,629 in 53186 to $4,493 in 53188, 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 Waukesha.
About Waukesha Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Waukesha, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Waukesha’s median effective property tax rate of 1.38% is lower than the Wisconsin state median of 1.43% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Waukesha 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 Waukesha. Homeowners in the 53188 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.39%, while those in 53189 pay 0.93%. This spread — 0.46 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Waukesha County. Understanding which part of Waukesha you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Waukesha 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 Waukesha, Waukesha 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 Waukesha’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 Ă· 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 Waukesha Tax Rate
1.38%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 Waukesha County Tax Rate
1.05%
Median Effective Wisconsin Tax Rate
1.43%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Waukesha, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53186 | 0.88% | 1.33% | 1.38% | 1.41% | 1.45% |
| 53188 | 0.85% | 1.36% | 1.39% | 1.41% | 1.45% |
| 53189 | 0.72% | 0.72% | 0.93% | 1.40% | 1.42% |
| 53089 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 53187 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Waukesha, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
When examining property taxes in Waukesha, 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 Waukesha 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 Waukesha County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month when notices are sent.
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. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Waukesha.
For example, the median home price in Waukesha is $350,657, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 53189 has the highest median home price at $406,700.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Waukesha, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Source: Ownwell
$180,700
$389,800
$598,900
Median Waukesha Market Value
$350,657
Median Waukesha County Market Value
$390,000
Median Wisconsin Market Value
$237,700
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Waukesha, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53186 | $177,296 | $222,487 | $290,610 | $361,321 | $424,734 |
| 53188 | $229,734 | $276,296 | $353,038 | $440,225 | $549,700 |
| 53189 | $271,042 | $338,878 | $406,700 | $489,700 | $611,247 |
| 53089 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 53187 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Waukesha, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Property tax bills in Waukesha are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed market value, then adjusting for any exemptions or special levies. The assessed value is a key factor, and it can change as the market changes, which means a homeowner’s bill may rise even if the home itself has not been improved.
For Waukesha homeowners, the median home price is $350,657, and the median property tax bill is $4,493 in ZIP code 53188. That is well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Bills can vary widely across the city, with the 25th percentile at $3,147 and the 75th percentile at $5,255. At the high end, the 90th percentile reaches $6,645.
Because property taxes are based on value and local rates, homeowners with higher assessed values generally pay more. This makes it important to understand how the bill is calculated and how market conditions affect what you owe.
Median Waukesha Tax Bill
$4,058
Median Waukesha County Tax Bill
$4,123
Median Wisconsin Tax Bill
$3,453
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Waukesha, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53186 | $2,288 | $2,856 | $3,629 | $4,587 | $5,435 |
| 53188 | $2,911 | $3,518 | $4,493 | $5,788 | $7,307 |
| 53189 | $2,549 | $3,094 | $4,022 | $5,414 | $6,836 |
| 53089 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 53187 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | May 20 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Waukesha Tax Assessor | |
| Website | tax.waukeshacounty.gov |