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Moving from Wisconsin to Colorado

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters. vs. Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

WI state flag
Living now

Wisconsin

Capital: Madison

Median household income $72,458 · winter low 9°F · 188 sunny days

Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

CO state flag
Moving to

Colorado

Capital: Denver

Median household income $87,598 · winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days

Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

Colorado has an overall price level 103.1 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Wisconsin
94.1
Colorado
103.1
Colorado has 9.5% higher overall price level
Housing index
Wisconsin
79.3
Colorado
127.4
Colorado has 61% higher housing costs
Groceries index
Wisconsin
94.3
Colorado
98.7
Colorado has 4.7% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Wisconsin
99.1
Colorado
100.5
Colorado has 1.4% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Wisconsin
19.2 ¢/kWh
Colorado
16.5 ¢/kWh
Colorado has 14% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.8
Colorado
100.6
Colorado has 1.8% higher transportation
Median home value
Wisconsin
$294,700
Colorado
$574,600
Colorado is 95% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Wisconsin
$1,142/mo
Colorado
$1,822/mo
Colorado is 60% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow · USGS (live) state-level

Summer high 86°F · Winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Wisconsin
81°F
Colorado
86°F
Colorado is 6.2% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Wisconsin
9°F
Colorado
18°F
Colorado is 100% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Wisconsin
44°F
Colorado
46°F
Colorado is 3.8% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Wisconsin
188
Colorado
245
Colorado has 30% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Wisconsin
33 in
Colorado
17 in
Colorado is 50% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Wisconsin
78
Colorado
49
Colorado has 37% lower AQI
Earthquakes (M3+, past yr)
Wisconsin
0
Colorado
8
Snow / year
Wisconsin
50 in
Colorado
69 in
Colorado is 38% more annual snowfall

Get the full WisconsinColorado report

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

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Colorado than Wisconsin?

Colorado's overall price level is roughly 103 (US avg = 100), vs about 93.5 for Wisconsin, 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?

Wisconsin tops out at 7.65% income tax. Colorado tops out at 4.4%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Colorado?

Most Colorado residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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