Cheapest Places to Live in Wisconsin (2026)
Looking for the most affordable cities in Wisconsin? We ranked 11 Wisconsin cities by median home value. The cheapest is Racine (~$218,000); the Wisconsin median is $317,000.
Most affordable cities in Wisconsin
Ranked by median home value, lowest first:
| # | City | Median home value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Racine | $218,000 | $174 |
| 2 | Milwaukee | $232,500 | $162 |
| 3 | Oshkosh | $238,000 | $176 |
| 4 | Green Bay | $258,500 | $178 |
| 5 | Kenosha | $266,000 | $200 |
| 6 | Horicon | $299,000 | $207 |
| 7 | Appleton | $337,000 | $181 |
| 8 | Salem | $367,000 | $259 |
| 9 | Waukesha | $437,000 | $244 |
| 10 | Madison | $441,500 | $258 |
Most expensive cities in Wisconsin
The priciest Wisconsin markets by median home value:
| # | City | Median home value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richfield | $579,000 | $247 |
| 2 | Madison | $441,500 | $258 |
| 3 | Waukesha | $437,000 | $244 |
| 4 | Salem | $367,000 | $259 |
| 5 | Appleton | $337,000 | $181 |
| 6 | Horicon | $299,000 | $207 |
| 7 | Kenosha | $266,000 | $200 |
| 8 | Green Bay | $258,500 | $178 |
| 9 | Oshkosh | $238,000 | $176 |
| 10 | Milwaukee | $232,500 | $162 |
How we rank Wisconsin cities
Rankings use the typical (median) home value for each city from public market data (Realtor.com & Zillow research). Affordability also depends on incomes, taxes, and cost of living — see each city page for local detail. Directional estimates, not appraisals.
Explore all Wisconsin home values, estimate any home with the Home Value Estimator, or see where your budget goes furthest nationwide.
Wisconsin affordability: FAQ
What is the cheapest place to live in Wisconsin? +
Based on median home value, Racine is among the most affordable cities in Wisconsin, with a typical home around $218,000 — well below the Wisconsin median of $317,000.
What is the most expensive city in Wisconsin? +
By median home value, Richfield is among the priciest in Wisconsin, with a typical home around $579,000.
Is Wisconsin an affordable place to live? +
The median home value in Wisconsin is about $317,000 (8% more expensive than the U.S. median of $294,000), but prices vary widely by city — from around $218,000 to $579,000.