Total monthly cost of ownership
Cost to Own a Home in Browns Lake, Wisconsin
A $298,000 home here costs
$2,479per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.24% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $106,000 a year.
A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $1,625. The real number is $854 higher every month, 53% more than the payment most buyers budget for.
Compare Racine County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown
Small-place caveat: the Census publishes these figures for Browns Lake from a five-year rolling sample, and with about 1,766 residents that sample is small. The median home value here carries a much wider margin of error than a big-city figure does, so treat it as indicative rather than exact. The Racine County figures are drawn from a far larger sample if you want a steadier number.
Where every dollar goes
Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.
Browns Lake against Racine County and Wisconsin
| Measure | Browns Lake | Racine County |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $298,000 | $239,400 |
| Median property tax | $4,029 | $4,071 |
| Effective tax rate | 1.352% | 1.701% |
| Median gross rent | — | $1,017 |
| Population | 1,766 | 196,888 |
The weather behind that power bill
Browns Lake sits in Racine County, which averages a high of 81.4°F in its hottest month and a low of 16.0°F in its coldest, with 31.77" of precipitation a year and 35% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 654 cooling and 6,682 heating degree days, which is what sets the $125 electricity line above.
See the full climate breakdown for Racine County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.
Other cities in Racine County
Full Racine County cost breakdown · Every county in Wisconsin
Talk to someone who works this market
These are Browns Lake averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works Browns Lake every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.
I'm looking to buy in Browns Lake I already own here and may sell
Common questions
How much does it cost to own a home in Browns Lake?
A $298,000 home in Browns Lake, Wisconsin costs approximately $2,479 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $1,625 principal and interest, $336 property tax, $77 homeowners insurance, $193 utilities and $248 set aside for maintenance.
What is the property tax rate in Browns Lake?
Browns Lake has an effective property tax rate of 1.352%, based on a median home value of $298,000 and median real estate taxes of $4,029. That is lower than the Racine County average of 1.701%.
What is the average home price in Browns Lake?
The median owner-occupied home value in Browns Lake, Wisconsin is $298,000, against $239,400 across Racine County.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Browns Lake?
Rent data is not published for Browns Lake at this level of detail.
What salary do you need to buy a home in Browns Lake?
Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Browns Lake, Wisconsin at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $106,000 a year. That covers the full $2,479 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.
Sources & methodology
- Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Browns Lake, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
- Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Wisconsin.
- Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
- Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
- Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.