Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Updated for 2026.
Metric
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Median Home Price
$335K
$280K
Property Tax Rate
1.12%
1.76%
Avg Closing Costs
$5K
$4K
Closing Cost %
1.4%
1.4%
Transfer Tax
0.33%
0.3%
Homeowners Insurance
$2,100/yr
$1,300/yr
First-Time Buyer Program
Minnesota Housing Start Up
Up to $18,000 deferred loan
WHEDA First-Time Advantage
Up to $3,050 Easy Close grant
Verdict
Wisconsin wins 4 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. With a median home price of $280K and lower overall costs, Wisconsin offers meaningful savings compared to Minnesota. Both states offer first-time buyer programs — explore the state pages for full details.