(WFRV) – Prospective homebuyers in Wisconsin are facing one of the steepest rate jumps in the nation, according to a recent study analyzing quarterly shifts in average mortgage interest rates.According to WalletHub, while interest rates fluctuated across the country between the first and second quarters of 2026, Wisconsin stood out regionally, ranking fourth nationwide and leading the Midwest in the size of its rate increase.
Cost of having a baby: Are hospital bills high in Wisconsin? The study reveals that Wisconsin’s average mortgage rate rose by 1.23 percentage points to 5.16% in Q2, making it the hardest-hit state in the Upper Midwest for quarterly rate hikes.AdvertisementNeighboring Midwestern states saw far milder rate shifts or even slight drops over the same three-month period:Missouri: Ranked 5th overall (+1.14% increase; 5.69% average rate)Nebraska: Ranked 15th overall (+0.69% increase; 6.41% average rate)Michigan: Ranked 17th overall (+0.61% increase; 5.51% average rate)Minnesota: Ranked 22nd overall (+0.38% increase; 5.80% average rate)Illinois: Ranked 23rd overall (+0.34% increase; 6.32% average rate)Indiana: Ranked 33rd overall (+0.11% increase; 5.19% average rate)Ohio: Ranked 36th overall (+0.06% increase; 5.59% average rate)Iowa: Ranked 39th overall (-0.10% decrease; 5.66% average rate)South Dakota: Ranked 49th overall (-1.22% decrease; 5.50% average rate)North Dakota: Ranked 50th overall (-3.68% decrease; 5.00% average rate)While several nearby states still currently maintain higher overall average rates than Wisconsin, the sharp surge in the Badger State represents a sudden shift in borrowing costs for local buyers comparing regional housing markets.
DNR invites Wisconsinites outdoors for National Public Lands Day Nationally, Mississippi experienced the largest overall rate increase at 1.92 percentage points, while North Dakota saw the largest decline at -3.68 percentage points.Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 – Green Bay, Appleton.
