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Moving from New York to Wisconsin

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. NYC global capital + huge upstate, high taxes, top healthcare. vs. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

NY state flag
Living now

New York

Capital: Albany

Median household income $81,386 · winter low 24°F · 184 sunny days

NYC global capital + huge upstate, high taxes, top healthcare.

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 York
107.9
Wisconsin
94.1
Wisconsin has 13% lower overall price level
Housing index
New York
122.2
Wisconsin
79.3
Wisconsin has 35% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
New York
102.0
Wisconsin
98.5
Wisconsin has 3.4% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
New York
101.2
Wisconsin
99.1
Wisconsin has 2.0% lower utilities
Electricity rate
New York
28.6 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin has 34% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
New York
101.6
Wisconsin
98.8
Wisconsin has 2.7% lower transportation
Median home value
New York
$449,800
Wisconsin
$294,700
Wisconsin is 34% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
New York
$1,530/mo
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Wisconsin is 36% 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 York
84°F
Wisconsin
81°F
Wisconsin is 3.6% less summer highs
Avg winter low
New York
24°F
Wisconsin
9°F
Wisconsin is 63% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
New York
47°F
Wisconsin
44°F
Wisconsin is 5.9% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
New York
184
Wisconsin
188
Wisconsin has 2.2% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
New York
43 in
Wisconsin
33 in
Wisconsin is 22% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
New York
39
Wisconsin
40
Wisconsin has 2.6% higher AQI
Snow / year
New York
76 in
Wisconsin
50 in
Wisconsin is 34% less annual snowfall

Get the full New YorkWisconsin 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 York?

Wisconsin's overall price level is roughly 93.5 (US avg = 100), vs about 109.5 for New York — 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 York tops out at 10.9% 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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