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Moving from District of Columbia to Wisconsin

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living. vs. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

DC
Living now

District of Columbia

Capital: Washington

Median household income $101,722 · winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days

Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

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
District of Columbia
109.9
Wisconsin
94.1
Wisconsin has 14% lower overall price level
Housing index
District of Columbia
155.0
Wisconsin
79.3
Wisconsin has 49% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
District of Columbia
102.5
Wisconsin
98.5
Wisconsin has 3.9% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
District of Columbia
101.5
Wisconsin
99.1
Wisconsin has 2.3% lower utilities
Electricity rate
District of Columbia
25 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin has 25% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
District of Columbia
102.0
Wisconsin
98.8
Wisconsin has 3.1% lower transportation
Median home value
District of Columbia
$733,400
Wisconsin
$294,700
Wisconsin is 60% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
District of Columbia
$1,922/mo
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Wisconsin is 49% 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
District of Columbia
88°F
Wisconsin
81°F
Wisconsin is 8.0% less summer highs
Avg winter low
District of Columbia
28°F
Wisconsin
9°F
Wisconsin is 68% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
District of Columbia
57°F
Wisconsin
44°F
Wisconsin is 23% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
District of Columbia
197
Wisconsin
188
Wisconsin has 4.6% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
District of Columbia
45 in
Wisconsin
33 in
Wisconsin is 25% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
District of Columbia
47
Wisconsin
40
Wisconsin has 15% lower AQI
Snow / year
District of Columbia
11 in
Wisconsin
50 in
Wisconsin is 355% more annual snowfall

Get the full District of ColumbiaWisconsin report

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

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Wisconsin than District of Columbia?

Wisconsin's overall price level is roughly 93.5 (US avg = 100), vs about 117.4 for District of Columbia — 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?

District of Columbia tops out at 10.75% 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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