Milwaukee Sales Tax
Wisconsin. Combined state + county + city. Category exemptions and how it compares to neighboring states.
Category exemptions in Wisconsin
What gets taxed and what's exempt — these rules apply across the entire state of Wisconsin, including Milwaukee.
| Category | Rule | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | Exempt | Unprepared food at grocery stores. |
| Clothing | Taxed (full rate) | Everyday apparel and footwear. |
| Prescription drugs | Exempt | Prescribed medications dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. |
Sales tax on common amounts
| Purchase | Tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.56 | $10.56 |
| $50 | $2.80 | $52.80 |
| $100 | $5.60 | $105.60 |
| $250 | $14.00 | $264.00 |
| $500 | $28.00 | $528.00 |
| $1,000 | $56.00 | $1056.00 |
| $5,000 | $280.00 | $5280.00 |
| $10,000 | $560.00 | $10560.00 |
Border shopping — neighboring states
For larger purchases, driving to a neighboring state with lower sales tax can save real money. Top metro sales tax in each contiguous neighbor of Wisconsin.
| State | Reference city | Rate | vs Milwaukee | $1,000 savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin (current) | Milwaukee | 5.60% | — | — |
| Michigan | Detroit | 6.00% | +0.40% | — |
| Iowa | Des Moines | 7.00% | +1.40% | — |
| Illinois | Naperville | 7.50% | +1.90% | — |
| Minnesota | Rochester | 8.13% | +2.53% | — |
Use tax (state where you live) may still apply on out-of-state purchases for items shipped or for registered goods like vehicles. For everyday retail walked across the border, savings are realized at point of sale.
Other cities in Wisconsin
Madison has the lowest combined rate in our Wisconsin coverage at 5.50% — that's 0.10% below Milwaukee ($1.00 less per $1,000 spent).
Common questions
- What is the total sales tax rate in Milwaukee?
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin charges a combined sales tax of 5.60%. That's 5.00% state tax plus 0.60% local (county + city + special district) on top.
- Are groceries taxed in Milwaukee?
- Wisconsin exempts unprepared groceries from state sales tax. Hot or prepared food (deli, restaurant, hot bar) is still taxable at the full combined rate.
- Is clothing taxed in Milwaukee?
- Yes — Wisconsin taxes clothing at the full combined rate of 5.60%.
- How do I save on sales tax when shopping in Milwaukee?
- Three levers: (1) shop online from a state with no sales tax, (2) buy exempt categories (groceries, prescription drugs), (3) drive across the border if a nearby state has a lower rate.
Full data sources and formulas: /sources.
Estimate only — not tax advice. Local sales tax rates change frequently and may include special district levies not modeled here. Verify with the retailer or local taxing authority for large purchases. Category exemption rules and tax holidays change by year — check the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for current rules. Methodology → Wisconsin state rate →
Last reviewed: · Beforeview Editorial · editorial policy