2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Wisconsin — 2026

Last updated: July 19, 2026

898 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 53706 (Madison, WI) - 70/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 898 ZIP codes with data in Wisconsin, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Wisconsin Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 898
Highest value 70/100
Median value 39/100
State Wisconsin

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 53706 Madison WI 70/100 59/100
2 53549 Jefferson WI 67/100 40/100
3 54631 Gays Mills WI 67/100 59/100
4 54652 Readstown WI 66/100 60/100
5 53094 Watertown WI 65/100 28/100
6 54625 Dodge WI 65/100 55/100
7 53168 Salem WI 64/100 63/100
8 53522 Browntown WI 64/100 65/100
9 53957 Randolph WI 64/100 40/100
10 53122 Elm Grove WI 63/100 59/100
11 53187 Waukesha WI 63/100 36/100
12 53538 Fort Atkinson WI 63/100 34/100
13 54492 Stevens Point WI 63/100 42/100
14 54935 Fond Du Lac WI 63/100 42/100
15 53157 Pell Lake WI 62/100 54/100
16 53170 Silver Lake WI 62/100 70/100
17 53176 Springfield WI 62/100 53/100
18 53218 Milwaukee WI 62/100 65/100
19 53534 Edgerton WI 62/100 43/100
20 53209 Milwaukee WI 61/100 65/100
21 53962 Union Center WI 61/100 83/100
22 53702 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
23 53707 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
24 53708 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
25 53725 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
26 53726 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
27 53744 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
28 53774 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
29 53777 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
30 53778 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
31 53779 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
32 53782 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
33 53783 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
34 53784 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
35 53785 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
36 53786 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
37 53788 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
38 53789 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
39 53790 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
40 53791 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
41 53792 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
42 53793 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
43 53794 Madison WI 60/100 59/100
44 53941 La Valle WI 60/100 76/100
45 54638 Kendall WI 60/100 72/100
46 54645 Mount Sterling WI 60/100 28/100
47 54759 Pepin WI 60/100 59/100
48 54902 Oshkosh WI 60/100 50/100
49 53213 Milwaukee WI 59/100 70/100
50 53404 Racine WI 59/100 75/100
51 53581 Richland Center WI 59/100 46/100
52 53806 Cassville WI 59/100 64/100
53 53955 Poynette WI 59/100 61/100
54 54409 Antigo WI 59/100 56/100
55 53039 Juneau WI 58/100 24/100
56 53233 Milwaukee WI 58/100 80/100
57 53545 Janesville WI 58/100 47/100
58 53701 Madison WI 58/100 59/100
59 54495 Wisconsin Rapids WI 58/100 57/100
60 53130 Hales Corners WI 57/100 74/100
61 53141 Kenosha WI 57/100 69/100
62 53167 Rochester WI 57/100 81/100
63 53206 Milwaukee WI 57/100 80/100
64 53713 Madison WI 57/100 59/100
65 53715 Madison WI 57/100 64/100
66 53956 Randolph WI 57/100 40/100
67 54481 Stevens Point WI 57/100 46/100
68 53050 Mayville WI 56/100 53/100
69 53143 Kenosha WI 56/100 69/100
70 53548 Janesville WI 56/100 52/100
71 53714 Madison WI 56/100 64/100
72 53961 Rock Springs WI 56/100 78/100
73 53098 Watertown WI 55/100 28/100
74 53140 Kenosha WI 55/100 69/100
75 53186 Waukesha WI 55/100 41/100
76 53216 Milwaukee WI 55/100 70/100
77 53716 Madison WI 55/100 59/100
78 54014 Hager City WI 55/100 60/100
79 54403 Wausau WI 55/100 67/100
80 53007 Butler WI 54/100 67/100
81 53008 Brookfield WI 54/100 65/100
82 53118 Dousman WI 54/100 63/100
83 53199 Silver Lake WI 54/100 73/100
84 53208 Milwaukee WI 54/100 75/100
85 53217 Milwaukee WI 54/100 65/100
86 53222 Milwaukee WI 54/100 75/100
87 53405 Racine WI 54/100 75/100
88 53506 Avoca WI 54/100 68/100
89 53515 Black Earth WI 54/100 64/100
90 53536 Evansville WI 54/100 61/100
91 53563 Milton WI 54/100 64/100
92 53588 Spring Green WI 54/100 64/100
93 53703 Madison WI 54/100 59/100
94 54632 Genoa WI 54/100 54/100
95 54651 Ontario WI 54/100 69/100
96 54667 Westby WI 54/100 63/100
97 54880 Superior WI 54/100 61/100
98 53105 Burlington WI 53/100 49/100
99 53144 Kenosha WI 53/100 64/100
100 53182 Union Grove WI 53/100 81/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-07-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?

This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.

What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?

Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead pipe infrastructure and EPA exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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