The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Wisconsin

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 269 towns of 500–10,000 people in Wisconsin. #1 is Mauston, WI.

1. 25Kewaunee, Wisconsin

   Better for first-time buyers than 92% of Wisconsin towns

   Kewaunee is a city of 2,837 people in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin. It also ranks quieter than 88% of Wisconsin towns and more walkable than 80% of Wisconsin towns.

   2,837 people · Kewaunee County · median home $159,600 · income $82,028 · Jan low 12°F · 48 in snow

   Full Kewaunee, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 24Delavan, Wisconsin

   Better for first-time buyers than 92% of Wisconsin towns

   Delavan is a city of 8,505 people in Walworth County, Wisconsin. It also ranks more walkable than 96% of Wisconsin towns and more vibrant than 93% of Wisconsin towns.

   8,505 people · Walworth County · median home $218,800 · income $65,357 · Jan low 13°F · 37 in snow

   Full Delavan, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 23Rice Lake, Wisconsin

   Better for first-time buyers than 92% of Wisconsin towns

   Rice Lake is a city of 9,040 people in Barron County, Wisconsin. It also ranks more vibrant than 96% of Wisconsin towns and hipper than 93% of Wisconsin towns.

   9,040 people · Barron County · median home $193,800 · income $52,417 · Jan low 2°F · 53 in snow

   Full Rice Lake, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 22Deerfield, Wisconsin

   Better for first-time buyers than 93% of Wisconsin towns

   Deerfield is a village of 2,507 people in Dane County, Wisconsin. It also ranks better for young professionals than 91% of Wisconsin towns and more upscale than 90% of Wisconsin towns.

   2,507 people · Dane County · median home $315,900 · income $91,029 · Jan low 11°F · 42 in snow

   Full Deerfield, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 21Merrill, Wisconsin

   Better for first-time buyers than 93% of Wisconsin towns

   Merrill is a town of 2,881 people in Lincoln County, Wisconsin. It also ranks quieter than 87% of Wisconsin towns and better for a vacation home than 72% of Wisconsin towns.

   2,881 people · Lincoln County · median home $197,500 · income $81,063 · Jan low 3°F · 54 in snow

   Full Merrill, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 20Boscobel, Wisconsin

   Better for first-time buyers than 94% of Wisconsin towns

   Boscobel is a city of 3,286 people in Grant County, Wisconsin. It also ranks better for cycling than 89% of Wisconsin towns and more vibrant than 82% of Wisconsin towns.

   3,286 people · Grant County · median home $147,400 · income $54,071 · Jan low 10°F · 36 in snow

   Full Boscobel, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 19Campbell, Wisconsin

   Better for first-time buyers than 94% of Wisconsin towns

   Campbell is a town of 4,284 people in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. It also ranks more walkable than 95% of Wisconsin towns and hipper than 95% of Wisconsin towns.

   4,284 people · La Crosse County · median home $207,100 · income $60,202 · Jan low 12°F · 38 in snow

   Full Campbell, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 18French Island, Wisconsin

   Better for first-time buyers than 94% of Wisconsin towns

   French Island is a community of 4,284 people in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. It also ranks more walkable than 95% of Wisconsin towns and hipper than 95% of Wisconsin towns.

   4,284 people · La Crosse County · median home $207,100 · income $60,202 · Jan low 11°F · 43 in snow

   Full French Island, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 17Dodgeville, Wisconsin

   Better for first-time buyers than 94% of Wisconsin towns

   Dodgeville is a city of 4,984 people in Iowa County, Wisconsin. It also ranks more vibrant than 89% of Wisconsin towns and more walkable than 87% of Wisconsin towns.

   4,984 people · Iowa County · median home $242,600 · income $72,288 · Jan low 9°F · 41 in snow

   Full Dodgeville, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 16Waupaca, Wisconsin

    Better for first-time buyers than 94% of Wisconsin towns

    Waupaca is a city of 6,282 people in Waupaca County, Wisconsin. It also ranks more walkable than 93% of Wisconsin towns and more vibrant than 93% of Wisconsin towns.

    6,282 people · Waupaca County · median home $175,600 · income $52,727 · Jan low 8°F · 49 in snow

    Full Waupaca, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

11. 15New Holstein, Wisconsin

    Better for first-time buyers than 95% of Wisconsin towns

    New Holstein is a city of 3,195 people in Calumet County, Wisconsin. It also ranks more of a college town than 94% of Wisconsin towns and more walkable than 87% of Wisconsin towns.

    3,195 people · Calumet County · median home $178,700 · income $59,667 · Jan low 10°F · 44 in snow

    Full New Holstein, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 14West Salem, Wisconsin

    Better for first-time buyers than 95% of Wisconsin towns

    West Salem is a village of 5,277 people in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. It also ranks more walkable than 94% of Wisconsin towns and more vibrant than 93% of Wisconsin towns.

    5,277 people · La Crosse County · median home $277,100 · income $97,019 · Jan low 8°F · 54 in snow

    Full West Salem, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 13Paddock Lake, Wisconsin

    Better for first-time buyers than 96% of Wisconsin towns

    Paddock Lake is a village of 2,919 people in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. It also ranks more walkable than 92% of Wisconsin towns and more vibrant than 92% of Wisconsin towns.

    2,919 people · Kenosha County · median home $255,700 · income $87,800 · Jan low 13°F · 41 in snow

    Full Paddock Lake, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

14. 12Ripon, Wisconsin

    Better for first-time buyers than 96% of Wisconsin towns

    Ripon is a city of 7,863 people in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. It also ranks hipper than 95% of Wisconsin towns and better for retirees than 90% of Wisconsin towns.

    7,863 people · Fond du Lac County · median home $174,900 · income $54,763 · Jan low 10°F · 38 in snow

    Full Ripon, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

15. 11Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin

    Better for first-time buyers than 96% of Wisconsin towns

    Sheboygan Falls is a city of 8,210 people in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. It also ranks hipper than 98% of Wisconsin towns and more of a college town than 98% of Wisconsin towns.

    8,210 people · Sheboygan County · median home $217,500 · income $71,477 · Jan low 12°F · 45 in snow

    Full Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

16. 10Mineral Point, Wisconsin

    Better for first-time buyers than 97% of Wisconsin towns

    Mineral Point is a city of 2,581 people in Iowa County, Wisconsin. It also ranks hipper than 98% of Wisconsin towns and better for retirees than 95% of Wisconsin towns.

    2,581 people · Iowa County · median home $212,200 · income $81,000 · Jan low 9°F · 41 in snow

    Full Mineral Point, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

17. 9Rothschild, Wisconsin

    Better for first-time buyers than 97% of Wisconsin towns

    Rothschild is a village of 5,567 people in Marathon County, Wisconsin. It also ranks more vibrant than 94% of Wisconsin towns and more walkable than 90% of Wisconsin towns.

    5,567 people · Marathon County · median home $203,600 · income $88,261 · Jan low 7°F · 64 in snow

    Full Rothschild, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 8Altoona, Wisconsin

    Better for first-time buyers than 97% of Wisconsin towns

    Altoona is a city of 8,293 people in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. It also ranks more vibrant than 98% of Wisconsin towns and better for young professionals than 97% of Wisconsin towns.

    8,293 people · Eau Claire County · median home $233,100 · income $84,552 · Jan low 8°F · 54 in snow

    Full Altoona, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

19. 7Hayward, Wisconsin

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of Wisconsin towns

    Hayward is a city of 2,533 people in Sawyer County, Wisconsin. It also ranks hipper than 91% of Wisconsin towns and more vibrant than 87% of Wisconsin towns.

    2,533 people · Sawyer County · median home $184,700 · income $45,665 · Jan low 3°F · 59 in snow

    Full Hayward, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

20. 6Viroqua, Wisconsin

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of Wisconsin towns

    Viroqua is a city of 4,504 people in Vernon County, Wisconsin. It also ranks hipper than 99% of Wisconsin towns and better transit than 98% of Wisconsin towns.

    4,504 people · Vernon County · median home $209,900 · income $67,438 · Jan low 6°F · 47 in snow

    Full Viroqua, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

21. 5Ladysmith, Wisconsin

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of Wisconsin towns

    Ladysmith is a city of 3,216 people in Rusk County, Wisconsin. It also ranks better for retirees than 98% of Wisconsin towns and hipper than 93% of Wisconsin towns.

    3,216 people · Rusk County · median home $124,200 · income $41,719 · Jan low 2°F · 52 in snow

    Full Ladysmith, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

22. 4Grand Rapids, Wisconsin

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of Wisconsin towns

    Grand Rapids is a town of 7,576 people in Wood County, Wisconsin. It also ranks more vibrant than 83% of Wisconsin towns and more upscale than 75% of Wisconsin towns.

    7,576 people · Wood County · median home $223,500 · income $96,658 · Jan low 5°F · 48 in snow

    Full Grand Rapids, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

23. 3St. Francis, Wisconsin

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of Wisconsin towns

    St. Francis is a city of 9,161 people in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. It also ranks hipper than 100% of Wisconsin towns and more walkable than 99% of Wisconsin towns.

    9,161 people · Milwaukee County · median home $234,500 · income $57,368 · Jan low 17°F · 49 in snow

    Full St. Francis, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

24. 2Lake Wazeecha, Wisconsin

    Better for first-time buyers than 100% of Wisconsin towns

    Lake Wazeecha is a community of 3,107 people in Wood County, Wisconsin. It also ranks better for families than 89% of Wisconsin towns and more upscale than 85% of Wisconsin towns.

    3,107 people · Wood County · median home $218,800 · income $93,346 · Jan low 5°F · 48 in snow

    Full Lake Wazeecha, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

25. 1Mauston, Wisconsin

    Better for first-time buyers than 100% of Wisconsin towns

    Mauston is a city of 4,347 people in Juneau County, Wisconsin. It also ranks more vibrant than 92% of Wisconsin towns and more walkable than 91% of Wisconsin towns.

    4,347 people · Juneau County · median home $150,200 · income $63,636 · Jan low 8°F · 47 in snow

    Full Mauston, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Price vs ranking

More Wisconsin rankings

• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Wisconsin
• The 25 Quietest Small Towns in Wisconsin
• The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in Wisconsin
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Wisconsin
• 25 Small Towns in Wisconsin With the Cheapest Homes
• 25 Small Towns in Wisconsin With the Mildest Winters
• The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in Wisconsin
• 25 Small Towns in Wisconsin With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950
• The 19 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Wisconsin With Mild Winters
• The 25 Best Affordable Small Towns for Remote Workers in Wisconsin

Same ranking, other places

• The 50 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in America
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Pennsylvania
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in New York
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Michigan
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Texas
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in California
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in New Jersey
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Florida
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Ohio
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Illinois