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Moving from Montana to Wisconsin

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Big sky, no sales tax, rapidly gentrifying small towns. vs. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

MT state flag
Living now

Montana

Capital: Helena

Median household income $67,631 · winter low 14°F · 205 sunny days

Big sky, no sales tax, rapidly gentrifying small 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
Montana
94.6
Wisconsin
94.1
Wisconsin has 0.6% lower overall price level
Housing index
Montana
84.6
Wisconsin
79.3
Wisconsin has 6.3% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Montana
98.7
Wisconsin
98.5
Utilities index (modeled)
Montana
99.2
Wisconsin
99.1
Electricity rate
Montana
13.5 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin has 39% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Montana
98.9
Wisconsin
98.8
Median home value
Montana
$425,400
Wisconsin
$294,700
Wisconsin is 31% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Montana
$933/mo
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Wisconsin is 5.3% 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
Montana
83°F
Wisconsin
81°F
Wisconsin is 2.4% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Montana
14°F
Wisconsin
9°F
Wisconsin is 36% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Montana
44°F
Wisconsin
44°F
Wisconsin is 1.4% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Montana
205
Wisconsin
188
Wisconsin has 8.3% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Montana
15 in
Wisconsin
33 in
Wisconsin is 119% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Montana
42
Wisconsin
40
Wisconsin has 4.8% lower AQI
Snow / year
Montana
51 in
Wisconsin
50 in
Wisconsin is 2.0% less annual snowfall

Get the full MontanaWisconsin 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 Montana?

Wisconsin's overall price level is roughly 93.5 (US avg = 100), vs about 95 for Montana — 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?

Montana tops out at 5.65% 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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