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Moving from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax. vs. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

PA state flag
Living now

Pennsylvania

Capital: Harrisburg

Median household income $73,170 · winter low 22°F · 179 sunny days

Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

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
Pennsylvania
97.6
Wisconsin
94.1
Wisconsin has 3.6% lower overall price level
Housing index
Pennsylvania
85.1
Wisconsin
79.3
Wisconsin has 6.8% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Pennsylvania
99.4
Wisconsin
98.5
Wisconsin has 0.9% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Pennsylvania
99.6
Wisconsin
99.1
Wisconsin has 0.5% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Pennsylvania
20.9 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin has 10% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Pennsylvania
99.5
Wisconsin
98.8
Wisconsin has 0.7% lower transportation
Median home value
Pennsylvania
$277,600
Wisconsin
$294,700
Wisconsin is 6.2% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Pennsylvania
$1,064/mo
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Wisconsin is 7.7% 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
Pennsylvania
85°F
Wisconsin
81°F
Wisconsin is 4.7% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Pennsylvania
22°F
Wisconsin
9°F
Wisconsin is 59% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Pennsylvania
50°F
Wisconsin
44°F
Wisconsin is 11% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Pennsylvania
179
Wisconsin
188
Wisconsin has 5.0% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Pennsylvania
44 in
Wisconsin
33 in
Wisconsin is 23% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Pennsylvania
40
Wisconsin
40
Snow / year
Pennsylvania
43 in
Wisconsin
50 in
Wisconsin is 16% more annual snowfall

Get the full PennsylvaniaWisconsin 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 Pennsylvania?

Wisconsin's overall price level is roughly 93.5 (US avg = 100), vs about 96.8 for Pennsylvania — 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?

Pennsylvania tops out at 3.07% 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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