Cost to Own
United StatesWisconsinRacine CountyRacine Population 77,155 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-07-30

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Racine, Wisconsin

A $158,000 home here costs

$1,528

per month, all in — with 20% down at today's 6.66% 30-year fixed rate.

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $812. The real number is $716 higher every month — 88% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Racine median: $158,100
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
US average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $126,400 borrowed $812
Property tax2.262% effective rate for Racine itself $298
Homeowners insuranceWisconsin averages $780/yr (NAIC), or 0.309% of home value $41
Electricity19.74¢/kWh — Wisconsin residential average, EIA $177
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $132
Total monthly $1,528

Racine against Racine County and Wisconsin

MeasureRacineRacine County
Median home value$158,100$239,400
Median property tax$3,576$4,071
Effective tax rate2.262%1.701%
Median gross rent$983$1,017
Population77,155196,888

The weather behind that power bill

Racine 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 $177 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

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Racine?

A $158,000 home in Racine, Wisconsin costs approximately $1,528 per month with 20% down at 6.66%. That is $812 principal and interest, $298 property tax, $41 homeowners insurance, $245 utilities and $132 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Racine?

Racine has an effective property tax rate of 2.262%, based on a median home value of $158,100 and median real estate taxes of $3,576. That is higher than the Racine County average of 1.701%.

What is the average home price in Racine?

The median owner-occupied home value in Racine, Wisconsin is $158,100, against $239,400 across Racine County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Racine?

Median gross rent in Racine is $983 a month, against $1,528 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Racine — 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.

Full methodology