CBEI Central Wisconsin Spring 2026 Report

Housing and Construction Table 11 National Affordability Index (First Quarter 2026)

Years

Median Price Existing Single Family Home

Mortgage Rate Monthly P & I Payment

Payment as % of Income

Median Family Income

Qualifying Income

Composite

2025 - Q1 2026 - Q1

$396,600 $412,400

6.9 6.6

$2,090 $2,034

25.0 22.0

$100,281 $111,002

$100,320 $97,632

100

113.7

Description: • Composite Index measures affordability. An index of 150 means that a family earning the median family income has 150% of income necessary to qualify for a conventional loan covering 80% of a median price single-family home. Analysis: • Despite increasing median home prices, affordability improved modestly over the last year with median family incomes rising and mortgage rates declining over the year. • Wisconsin residents relative to the nation enjoy greater housing affordability with a composite of 127 and a lower state median housing price of $337,000 (wra.org).

Table 12 Median Home Prices and Home Sales (First Quarter 2026) Wisconsin Marathon Portage

Wood

2026 Q1

% ∆ Yr. Ago

2026 Q1

% ∆ Yr. Ago

2026 Q1

% ∆ Yr. Ago

2026 Q1

% ∆ Yr. Ago

Median Home Prices

$320,000

6.5% $275,000 11.8% $284,950

3.6% $220,000 10.0%

Home Sales

12,109

4.0% 252

8.6% 120

25.0% 154

0.6%

Description: • Above table gives median home prices and sales for the state of Wisconsin and counties of Central Wisconsin. • If you list home prices from lowest to highest, the median home price is at the halfway point. Analysis: • Median home prices have risen significantly compared to a year ago in Marathon and Wood counties. • Home sales for Q1 2026 compared to Q1 2025 increased significantly in Portage and Marathon counties but were flat in Wood County.

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Center for Business and Economic Insight

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