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Moving from Maryland to Wisconsin

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. DC commuter belt, top public schools, Chesapeake Bay. vs. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

MD state flag
Living now

Maryland

Capital: Annapolis

Median household income $98,461 · winter low 25°F · 198 sunny days

DC commuter belt, top public schools, Chesapeake Bay.

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
Maryland
105.0
Wisconsin
94.1
Wisconsin has 10% lower overall price level
Housing index
Maryland
121.1
Wisconsin
79.3
Wisconsin has 34% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Maryland
101.2
Wisconsin
98.5
Wisconsin has 2.7% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Maryland
100.7
Wisconsin
99.1
Wisconsin has 1.6% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Maryland
35.9 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin has 48% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Maryland
101.0
Wisconsin
98.8
Wisconsin has 2.2% lower transportation
Median home value
Maryland
$436,300
Wisconsin
$294,700
Wisconsin is 32% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Maryland
$1,470/mo
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Wisconsin is 33% 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
Maryland
87°F
Wisconsin
81°F
Wisconsin is 6.9% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Maryland
25°F
Wisconsin
9°F
Wisconsin is 64% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Maryland
55°F
Wisconsin
44°F
Wisconsin is 20% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Maryland
198
Wisconsin
188
Wisconsin has 5.1% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Maryland
44 in
Wisconsin
33 in
Wisconsin is 24% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Maryland
43
Wisconsin
40
Wisconsin has 7.0% lower AQI
Snow / year
Maryland
28 in
Wisconsin
50 in
Wisconsin is 79% more annual snowfall

Get the full MarylandWisconsin 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 Maryland?

Wisconsin's overall price level is roughly 93.5 (US avg = 100), vs about 105.1 for Maryland — 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?

Maryland tops out at 6.5% 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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