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Moving from New Jersey to Wisconsin

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Highest property taxes, wealthy suburbs, NYC + Philly access. vs. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

NJ state flag
Living now

New Jersey

Capital: Trenton

Median household income $97,126 · winter low 24°F · 207 sunny days

Highest property taxes, wealthy suburbs, NYC + Philly access.

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
New Jersey
108.8
Wisconsin
94.1
Wisconsin has 14% lower overall price level
Housing index
New Jersey
134.3
Wisconsin
79.3
Wisconsin has 41% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
New Jersey
102.2
Wisconsin
98.5
Wisconsin has 3.6% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
New Jersey
101.3
Wisconsin
99.1
Wisconsin has 2.2% lower utilities
Electricity rate
New Jersey
23.5 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin has 20% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
New Jersey
101.8
Wisconsin
98.8
Wisconsin has 2.9% lower transportation
Median home value
New Jersey
$496,000
Wisconsin
$294,700
Wisconsin is 41% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
New Jersey
$1,554/mo
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Wisconsin is 37% 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
New Jersey
86°F
Wisconsin
81°F
Wisconsin is 5.8% less summer highs
Avg winter low
New Jersey
24°F
Wisconsin
9°F
Wisconsin is 63% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
New Jersey
53°F
Wisconsin
44°F
Wisconsin is 16% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
New Jersey
207
Wisconsin
188
Wisconsin has 9.2% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
New Jersey
48 in
Wisconsin
33 in
Wisconsin is 30% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
New Jersey
44
Wisconsin
40
Wisconsin has 9.1% lower AQI
Snow / year
New Jersey
24 in
Wisconsin
50 in
Wisconsin is 108% more annual snowfall

Get the full New JerseyWisconsin 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 New Jersey?

Wisconsin's overall price level is roughly 93.5 (US avg = 100), vs about 110.5 for New Jersey — 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?

New Jersey 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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