What your paycheck buys · Updated every Friday

What a paycheck buys in Wisconsin this week

Out of reach · #19 of 50 on affordability · rate for the week of October 22, 2026

A median Wisconsin household earning $88,020 a year can afford a home of about $278,000 at this week’s 7.32% average 30-year rate. The median Wisconsin listing is $389,900, which would take 39.3% of that household’s gross income, against the usual 28% ceiling.

$278,000

Affordable home price

+$1,831 vs. last week · −$7,544 vs. a year ago

$390,000

Median list price (September 2026)

+$450 vs. a year earlier

Affordability index (100 = within reach)

U.S. 66 · Wisconsin 73 a year ago

39.3%

Share of income the median listing takes

$2,882/mo incl. taxes & insurance · U.S. 42.5%

$88,000

Median household income (2025)

U.S. $87,000

#19

Rank of 50 (1 = most affordable)

See the full ranking

Compared with a year ago

A year ago, with the 30-year rate at 6.19%, a median list price of $389,450 and median income of $82,140 (2024 figure), the same household could afford about $285,000 and the median listing took 38.2% of income. Affordability in Wisconsin has worsened since then.

Nearby in the ranking

#17 North Dakota: can afford $269,000, median listing $371,000
#18 South Carolina: can afford $260,000, median listing $360,000
#20 Louisiana: can afford $192,000, median listing $270,000
#21 South Dakota: can afford $260,000, median listing $375,000

Wisconsin housing market report → · Wisconsin brokerage directory → · Run your own numbers →

How this is calculated: 28% of gross monthly income for housing, 10% down, a 30-year fixed loan at Freddie Mac’s weekly average, and 1.45% of the price a year for taxes and insurance. Full method, caveats, and sources on the main index page. An educational gauge, not a mortgage quote.