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Moving from Minnesota to Wisconsin

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Twin Cities arts, brutal winters, top public schools. vs. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

MN state flag
Living now

Minnesota

Capital: Saint Paul

Median household income $84,313 · winter low 4°F · 195 sunny days

Twin Cities arts, brutal winters, top public schools.

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
Minnesota
98.6
Wisconsin
94.1
Wisconsin has 4.6% lower overall price level
Housing index
Minnesota
91.3
Wisconsin
79.3
Wisconsin has 13% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Minnesota
99.7
Wisconsin
98.5
Wisconsin has 1.1% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Minnesota
99.8
Wisconsin
99.1
Wisconsin has 0.7% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Minnesota
15.1 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin has 25% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Minnesota
99.7
Wisconsin
98.8
Wisconsin has 0.9% lower transportation
Median home value
Minnesota
$344,600
Wisconsin
$294,700
Wisconsin is 14% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Minnesota
$1,135/mo
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Wisconsin is 13% 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
Minnesota
82°F
Wisconsin
81°F
Wisconsin is 1.2% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Minnesota
4°F
Wisconsin
9°F
Wisconsin is 125% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Minnesota
42°F
Wisconsin
44°F
Wisconsin is 4.7% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Minnesota
195
Wisconsin
188
Wisconsin has 3.6% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Minnesota
29 in
Wisconsin
33 in
Wisconsin is 13% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Minnesota
39
Wisconsin
40
Wisconsin has 2.6% higher AQI
Snow / year
Minnesota
46 in
Wisconsin
50 in
Wisconsin is 8.7% more annual snowfall

Get the full MinnesotaWisconsin 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 Minnesota?

Wisconsin's overall price level is roughly 93.5 (US avg = 100), vs about 97.3 for Minnesota — 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?

Minnesota tops out at 9.85% 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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