Madison, WI Property Tax Calculator
Estimate property tax for a home in Madison, WI. Homes in Madison are assessed by Dane County, where the effective property tax rate runs about 1.48% of market value — so a median-priced Madison home of $415,000 generates roughly $6,142 in annual property tax. Enter your specific home value below for a custom estimate.
Annual Tax
$6,142
1.48% of $415,000
Monthly Tax
$512
Typically escrowed with your mortgage
State Rank
#6 of 51
Highest rate = #1
vs. National Average
Highest property tax states
- New Jersey2.49%
- Illinois2.23%
- New Hampshire2.18%
- Connecticut2.15%
- Vermont1.90%
Lowest property tax states
- Hawaii0.32%
- Alabama0.41%
- Colorado0.55%
- Louisiana0.56%
- District of Columbia0.57%
These are state-level averages. Individual counties and cities can vary significantly — a home in Austin's urban core may have a far higher effective rate than the Texas state average, for example. For the most accurate estimate, get the exact millage rate from your county assessor and override the rate field above.
How to use it
A two-minute guide.
The Home Value field is pre-filled with Madison's median home value of $415,000. Override with your actual home's market value for a specific estimate — your tax bill scales linearly with home value.
The rate is pre-filled with Dane County's effective rate of 1.48% — the county-level average for owner-occupied homes, which is more precise than Wisconsin's statewide average of 1.85%. Individual school districts and special taxing zones within Madison still shift the exact figure — if you know the rate from your latest tax bill, override it for the most precise estimate.
You'll see your estimated annual property tax, the monthly amount (which is typically escrowed with your mortgage payment), and a comparison to other states.
How it works
The math behind the result.
How Madison's tax bill works out. Homes in Madison are assessed and billed through Dane County. The effective rate there averages about 1.48% of market value — below Wisconsin's statewide average of 1.85%. On Madison's median home value of $415,000, that's approximately $6,142/year, or $512/month when escrowed with your mortgage.
How assessment works in Wisconsin. Local assessors value property annually with the goal of full market value, with state equalization keeping municipalities comparable; reassessment timing varies by city.
Exemptions worth claiming. Wisconsin's relief comes mainly through credits applied to the bill — the School Levy Tax Credit, First Dollar Credit, and Lottery & Gaming Credit for primary residences. Exemptions are the most common reason two identical Madison homes pay different tax bills — make sure yours are on file with Dane County.
What property tax actually pays for. In Madison — like the rest of Wisconsin — property tax funds local schools, public safety (police, fire), road maintenance, parks, libraries, and county government. Most of your bill stays in your county and school district.
Comparing to other states. Effective rates vary enormously across the US — from about 0.3% in Hawaii to nearly 2.5% in New Jersey. Madison's 1.48% puts it in the upper third nationally.
Questions
Frequently asked.
Buying in Madison? Estimate your full mortgage payment with our Madison Mortgage Calculator. Or see how Wisconsin property tax rates compare across the state with our Wisconsin Property Tax Calculator.
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