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Moving from Colorado to Wisconsin

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed. vs. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

CO state flag
Living now

Colorado

Capital: Denver

Median household income $87,598 · winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days

Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

WI state flag
Moving to

Wisconsin

Capital: Madison

Median household income $72,458 · winter low 9°F · 188 sunny days

Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

Wisconsin has an overall price level 94.1 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Colorado
103.1
Wisconsin
94.1
Wisconsin has 8.7% lower overall price level
Housing index
Colorado
127.4
Wisconsin
79.3
Wisconsin has 38% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Colorado
100.8
Wisconsin
98.5
Wisconsin has 2.2% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Colorado
100.5
Wisconsin
99.1
Wisconsin has 1.3% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Colorado
16.7 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin has 12% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Colorado
100.6
Wisconsin
98.8
Wisconsin has 1.8% lower transportation
Median home value
Colorado
$574,600
Wisconsin
$294,700
Wisconsin is 49% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Colorado
$1,627/mo
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Wisconsin is 40% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 81°F · Winter low 9°F · 188 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Colorado
86°F
Wisconsin
81°F
Wisconsin is 5.8% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Colorado
18°F
Wisconsin
9°F
Wisconsin is 50% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Colorado
46°F
Wisconsin
44°F
Wisconsin is 3.7% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Colorado
245
Wisconsin
188
Wisconsin has 23% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Colorado
17 in
Wisconsin
33 in
Wisconsin is 101% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Colorado
74
Wisconsin
40
Wisconsin has 46% lower AQI
Snow / year
Colorado
69 in
Wisconsin
50 in
Wisconsin is 28% less annual snowfall

Get the full ColoradoWisconsin report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Wisconsin than Colorado?

Wisconsin's overall price level is roughly 93.5 (US avg = 100), vs about 103 for Colorado — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Colorado tops out at 4.4% income tax. Wisconsin tops out at 7.65%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Wisconsin?

Most Wisconsin residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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