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Moving from South Carolina to Wisconsin

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx. vs. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

SC state flag
Living now

South Carolina

Capital: Columbia

Median household income $63,623 · winter low 33°F · 216 sunny days

Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx.

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
South Carolina
93.7
Wisconsin
94.1
Housing index
South Carolina
80.5
Wisconsin
79.3
Wisconsin has 1.5% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.4
Wisconsin
98.5
Utilities index (modeled)
South Carolina
99.1
Wisconsin
99.1
Electricity rate
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin has 14% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.7
Wisconsin
98.8
Median home value
South Carolina
$299,500
Wisconsin
$294,700
Wisconsin is 1.6% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Wisconsin is 18% 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
South Carolina
91°F
Wisconsin
81°F
Wisconsin is 11% less summer highs
Avg winter low
South Carolina
33°F
Wisconsin
9°F
Wisconsin is 73% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Carolina
63°F
Wisconsin
44°F
Wisconsin is 29% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Carolina
216
Wisconsin
188
Wisconsin has 13% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Carolina
48 in
Wisconsin
33 in
Wisconsin is 31% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Carolina
39
Wisconsin
40
Wisconsin has 2.6% higher AQI
Snow / year
South Carolina
1 in
Wisconsin
50 in
Wisconsin is 4900% more annual snowfall

Get the full South 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 South Carolina?

Wisconsin's overall price level is roughly 93.5 (US avg = 100), vs about 94.6 for South 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?

South Carolina tops out at 6% 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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