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Moving from Kansas to Wisconsin

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Plains, aviation industry, university towns. vs. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

KS state flag
Living now

Kansas

Capital: Topeka

Median household income $69,747 · winter low 21°F · 217 sunny days

Plains, aviation industry, university towns.

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
Kansas
90.1
Wisconsin
94.1
Wisconsin has 4.5% higher overall price level
Housing index
Kansas
71.2
Wisconsin
79.3
Wisconsin has 11% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Kansas
97.5
Wisconsin
98.5
Wisconsin has 1.0% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Kansas
98.5
Wisconsin
99.1
Wisconsin has 0.6% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Kansas
15.3 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin has 23% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Kansas
98.0
Wisconsin
98.8
Wisconsin has 0.8% higher transportation
Median home value
Kansas
$238,700
Wisconsin
$294,700
Wisconsin is 23% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Kansas
$861/mo
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Wisconsin is 14% more expensive 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
Kansas
89°F
Wisconsin
81°F
Wisconsin is 9.0% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Kansas
21°F
Wisconsin
9°F
Wisconsin is 57% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Kansas
55°F
Wisconsin
44°F
Wisconsin is 19% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Kansas
217
Wisconsin
188
Wisconsin has 13% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Kansas
32 in
Wisconsin
33 in
Wisconsin is 5.7% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Kansas
38
Wisconsin
40
Wisconsin has 5.3% higher AQI
Snow / year
Kansas
16 in
Wisconsin
50 in
Wisconsin is 213% more annual snowfall

Get the full KansasWisconsin 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 Kansas?

Wisconsin's overall price level is roughly 93.5 (US avg = 100), vs about 90.1 for Kansas — 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?

Kansas tops out at 5.58% 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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