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Moving from North Carolina to Wisconsin

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Research Triangle boom, banking, mountains + coast. vs. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

NC state flag
Living now

North Carolina

Capital: Raleigh

Median household income $66,186 · winter low 30°F · 213 sunny days

Research Triangle boom, banking, mountains + coast.

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
North Carolina
94.3
Wisconsin
94.1
Housing index
North Carolina
81.4
Wisconsin
79.3
Wisconsin has 2.5% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
North Carolina
98.6
Wisconsin
98.5
Utilities index (modeled)
North Carolina
99.1
Wisconsin
99.1
Electricity rate
North Carolina
16 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin has 18% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
North Carolina
98.9
Wisconsin
98.8
Median home value
North Carolina
$333,000
Wisconsin
$294,700
Wisconsin is 12% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
North Carolina
$1,274/mo
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Wisconsin is 23% 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
North Carolina
88°F
Wisconsin
81°F
Wisconsin is 8.0% less summer highs
Avg winter low
North Carolina
30°F
Wisconsin
9°F
Wisconsin is 70% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
North Carolina
59°F
Wisconsin
44°F
Wisconsin is 24% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
North Carolina
213
Wisconsin
188
Wisconsin has 12% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
North Carolina
50 in
Wisconsin
33 in
Wisconsin is 33% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
North Carolina
38
Wisconsin
40
Wisconsin has 5.3% higher AQI
Snow / year
North Carolina
6 in
Wisconsin
50 in
Wisconsin is 733% more annual snowfall

Get the full North CarolinaWisconsin 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 North Carolina?

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

North Carolina tops out at 3.99% 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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