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Moving from West Virginia to Wisconsin

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Mountains, low housing costs, ongoing economic transition. vs. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

WV state flag
Living now

West Virginia

Capital: Charleston

Median household income $55,217 · winter low 25°F · 169 sunny days

Mountains, low housing costs, ongoing economic transition.

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
West Virginia
89.5
Wisconsin
94.1
Wisconsin has 5.1% higher overall price level
Housing index
West Virginia
54.2
Wisconsin
79.3
Wisconsin has 46% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
West Virginia
97.4
Wisconsin
98.5
Wisconsin has 1.2% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
West Virginia
98.4
Wisconsin
99.1
Wisconsin has 0.7% higher utilities
Electricity rate
West Virginia
16.4 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Wisconsin has 15% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
West Virginia
97.9
Wisconsin
98.8
Wisconsin has 0.9% higher transportation
Median home value
West Virginia
$170,800
Wisconsin
$294,700
Wisconsin is 73% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
West Virginia
$643/mo
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Wisconsin is 53% 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
West Virginia
84°F
Wisconsin
81°F
Wisconsin is 3.6% less summer highs
Avg winter low
West Virginia
25°F
Wisconsin
9°F
Wisconsin is 64% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
West Virginia
52°F
Wisconsin
44°F
Wisconsin is 14% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
West Virginia
169
Wisconsin
188
Wisconsin has 11% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
West Virginia
46 in
Wisconsin
33 in
Wisconsin is 27% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
West Virginia
42
Wisconsin
40
Wisconsin has 4.8% lower AQI
Snow / year
West Virginia
39 in
Wisconsin
50 in
Wisconsin is 28% more annual snowfall

Get the full West VirginiaWisconsin report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Wisconsin than West Virginia?

Wisconsin's overall price level is roughly 93.5 (US avg = 100), vs about 88.6 for West Virginia — 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?

West Virginia tops out at 4.82% 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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