Taxes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Complete tax guide for Milwaukee, WI. State income tax up to 7.65%, 2.03% property tax, 5.6% sales tax. Calculate your total tax burden.
State Income Tax
7.65%
Wisconsin
Property Tax
2.03%
Effective rate
Sales Tax
5.6%
Combined rate
Tax Burden
Moderate
Milwaukee, WI Tax Overview
Largest city; high property taxes; beer and manufacturing heritage
Population
577,222
Median Income
$43,818
Cost of Living
86.7 (100 = avg)
State Income Tax
7.65%
Median Home Price
$165,000
Milwaukee Tax Calculator
Pre-filled with Milwaukee median: $43,818
Total Tax Burden in Milwaukee
$9,924
Take-Home: $33,894 · Effective Rate: 22.65%
Federal Tax
$3,220
7.35% eff.
WI State
$3,352
7.65% eff.
FICA
$3,352
7.65% eff.
Take-Home
$33,894
77.35% kept
Tax Breakdown
| Item | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | $43,818.00 | $3,651.50 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$3,219.66 | -$268.31 |
| Wisconsin State Tax | -$3,352.08 | -$279.34 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$2,716.72 | -$226.39 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$635.36 | -$52.95 |
| Take-Home Pay | $33,894.19 | $2,824.52 |
Property Tax in Milwaukee
Median Home
$165,000
Annual Tax
$3,349
Monthly Tax
$279
Effective Rate
2.03%
Sales Tax in Milwaukee
Combined Rate
5.6%
State Portion
~3.1%
Local Portion
~2.5%
The combined sales tax rate in Milwaukee is 5.6%, which is below the national average of 7.12%. On a $100 purchase, you would pay $5.60 in sales tax.
Tax Burden Comparison
| Tax Type | Milwaukee | Wisconsin Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Tax | 7.65% | 7.65% | 4.6% |
| Property Tax | 2.03% | ~2.03% | 1.1% |
| Sales Tax | 5.6% | ~5.6% | 7.12% |
| Overall Burden | Moderate | — | Moderate |
About Taxes in Milwaukee
Milwaukee has a population of approximately 577,222 residents with a median household income of $43,818. The cost of living index is 86.7 (13.3% lower than the national average of 100).
Local context: Largest city; high property taxes; beer and manufacturing heritage
Tax burden classification: Moderate. Effective combined tax rate of 29.5% includes federal, state, FICA, property, and sales taxes for a typical Milwaukee household.
Official Tax Resources for Wisconsin
For authoritative Wisconsin tax forms, filing deadlines, and the latest legislative updates, consult these official government resources:
- Wisconsin Department of Revenue — official state revenue agency
- Wisconsin Individual Income Tax Forms — current tax year forms and instructions
- IRS Federal Tax Forms and Instructions — federal income tax filing
Tax Saving Tips for Milwaukee Residents
- Wisconsin's income tax rate of 7.65% is above average. Maximize pre-tax retirement contributions (401k up to $23,500, IRA up to $7,000) to reduce both federal and state taxable income.
- Property tax in Milwaukee (2.03%) is above the national average. Check if you qualify for homestead exemptions or assessment appeals to reduce your property tax bill.
- Use a Health Savings Account (HSA) if eligible. Contributions are tax-deductible ($4,400 individual, $8,750 family), growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for medical expenses are tax-free.
Other Cities in Wisconsin
Madison
Very HighGreen Bay
HighKenosha
HighRacine
ModerateAppleton
HighWaukesha
HighEau Claire
HighOshkosh
ModerateSources & Methodology
Tax rate data on this page is compiled from official government sources and updated for the 2026 tax year. Calculations follow the IRS-published 2026 federal tax brackets, FICA rates (6.2% Social Security up to $176,100 wage base, 1.45% Medicare), and Wisconsin state tax provisions. Property tax estimates use Milwaukee's median home value of $165,000and the local effective property tax rate of 2.03%.
- • Federal tax brackets and standard deductions: IRS.gov
- • State income tax rates and brackets: Wisconsin Department of Revenue
- • Median household income, home value, and demographics: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
- • Cost of living comparisons: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CES
- • National average benchmarks: Tax Foundation state-level tax burden studies
Disclaimer: Estimates are for informational purposes only. Actual tax liability depends on filing status, deductions, credits, and individual circumstances. Consult a licensed tax professional or your state revenue agency for binding tax guidance.
Reviewed by LevyIO Tax Research Team · Published 2026-01-15 · Last updated 2026-04-30
Calculate Your Full Wisconsin Tax Burden
See detailed state tax brackets, FICA breakdown, and compare to neighboring states.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the tax rates in Milwaukee, WI?
Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a state income tax rate up to 7.65%. The property tax rate is 2.03% and the combined sales tax rate is 5.6%. Largest city; high property taxes; beer and manufacturing heritage
How much is property tax in Milwaukee?
The effective property tax rate in Milwaukee is 2.03%. On the median home price of $165,000, this equals approximately $3,349 per year or $279 per month. This is above the national average of 1.1%.
What is the sales tax rate in Milwaukee?
The combined sales tax rate in Milwaukee is 5.6%, which includes both state and local components. This is below the national average combined rate of approximately 7.12%.
How does Milwaukee's tax burden compare to other cities?
Milwaukee has a moderate overall tax burden. The effective total tax rate for a median-income household is approximately 29.5%. The combination of 7.65% state income tax, 2.03% property tax, and 5.6% sales tax determines the total burden. Cost of living index is 86.7 (100 = national average).
Are there any local taxes in Milwaukee?
Milwaukee does not impose a separate local or city income tax. Residents pay the state income tax of 7.65%, federal income tax, and FICA (Social Security and Medicare). Largest city; high property taxes; beer and manufacturing heritage