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Moving from North Dakota to Wisconsin

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Energy boom, lowest unemployment, harshest winters. vs. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

ND state flag
Living now

North Dakota

Capital: Bismarck

Median household income $73,959 · winter low 0°F · 211 sunny days

Energy boom, lowest unemployment, harshest winters.

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 Dakota
89.0
Wisconsin
94.1
Wisconsin has 5.8% higher overall price level
Housing index
North Dakota
71.4
Wisconsin
79.3
Wisconsin has 11% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
North Dakota
97.2
Wisconsin
98.5
Wisconsin has 1.3% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
North Dakota
98.3
Wisconsin
99.1
Wisconsin has 0.8% higher utilities
Electricity rate
North Dakota
12 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin has 57% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
North Dakota
97.8
Wisconsin
98.8
Wisconsin has 1.1% higher transportation
Median home value
North Dakota
$266,100
Wisconsin
$294,700
Wisconsin is 11% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
North Dakota
$833/mo
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Wisconsin is 18% 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
North Dakota
84°F
Wisconsin
81°F
Wisconsin is 3.6% less summer highs
Avg winter low
North Dakota
0°F
Wisconsin
9°F
Avg annual temperature
North Dakota
41°F
Wisconsin
44°F
Wisconsin is 7.0% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
North Dakota
211
Wisconsin
188
Wisconsin has 11% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
North Dakota
18 in
Wisconsin
33 in
Wisconsin is 82% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
North Dakota
42
Wisconsin
40
Wisconsin has 4.8% lower AQI
Snow / year
North Dakota
39 in
Wisconsin
50 in
Wisconsin is 28% more annual snowfall

Get the full North DakotaWisconsin 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 Dakota?

Wisconsin's overall price level is roughly 93.5 (US avg = 100), vs about 92.4 for North Dakota — 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 Dakota tops out at 2.5% 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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