Milwaukee homeowners are looking at larger numbers on their latest assessment notices, with the city’s annual revaluation pushing the median home assessed value to about $207,400, roughly a 7.6% increase from 2025. The change touches most property types across the city and will factor into property tax calculations later this year. Owners now have a short window during the city’s Open Book period to ask questions or challenge what they see.
According to city assessor data, the median Milwaukee home assessment climbed from $192,700 to $207,400 in the latest revaluation. The median for non-condominium residential properties landed at $208,900, while condominiums came in at $172,800. Apartments posted a median assessed value of $455,800, and the report shows the city’s total assessed base rising about 6.0% overall. Those figures come from the City revaluation report.
Breakdown by property type
The revaluation data shows local mercantile properties with a new median of $262,350 and special mercantile properties with a median of $1,313,700. Apartment medians were up about 6.7%. Reporters noted that assessors leaned on more than 5,000 comparable sales to set values, and the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors told reporters that the average Milwaukee home sale price in 2025 was about $252,725, an increase of roughly 10.3%, which helps explain why assessments are climbing. Those details were reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Open Book and how to object
Property owners can look up their assessments and sit down with an appraiser during Open Book, which runs from April 20 through May 18, 2026. Written objections must be submitted by 4:45 p.m. on May 18. The assessor’s office suggests bringing recent appraisals, comparable sales or repair estimates to support your case. Appraisers meet with owners at City Hall, Room 507, and appointments can be made by calling 414-286-6565. The full timeline and instructions are available from the City Assessor's Office.
What this means for your tax bill
A higher assessment does not automatically translate into a higher tax bill. The amount you ultimately pay depends on the combined tax rate set by the city, the school district, the county and other local taxing bodies. State law expects assessments to line up with fair market value, and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue explains how equalized values, assessment ratios and levies are used when tax bills are calculated. For a deeper dive, see the property owner guide from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
How to prepare for Open Book
Owners who plan to object should gather recent comparable sales, receipts for renovations, professional appraisals or clear photos of any problems that might affect value. You can meet with an appraiser during Open Book or file a written objection before the May 18 deadline, and the assessor’s office offers consultations to walk through how values were determined. For step-by-step guidance and links to search assessments by address or tax key, review the assessor’s Open Book resources on the city’s assessor site.
