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Moving from Wisconsin to District of Columbia

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters. vs. Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

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.

DC
Moving to

District of Columbia

Capital: Washington

Median household income $101,722 · winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days

Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

District of Columbia has an overall price level 109.9 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Wisconsin
94.1
District of Columbia
109.9
District of Columbia has 17% higher overall price level
Housing index
Wisconsin
79.3
District of Columbia
155.0
District of Columbia has 95% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.5
District of Columbia
102.5
District of Columbia has 4.0% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Wisconsin
99.1
District of Columbia
101.5
District of Columbia has 2.4% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
District of Columbia
25 ¢/kWh
District of Columbia has 33% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.8
District of Columbia
102.0
District of Columbia has 3.2% higher transportation
Median home value
Wisconsin
$294,700
District of Columbia
$733,400
District of Columbia is 149% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Wisconsin
$982/mo
District of Columbia
$1,922/mo
District of Columbia is 96% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 88°F · Winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Wisconsin
81°F
District of Columbia
88°F
District of Columbia is 8.6% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Wisconsin
9°F
District of Columbia
28°F
District of Columbia is 211% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Wisconsin
44°F
District of Columbia
57°F
District of Columbia is 29% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Wisconsin
188
District of Columbia
197
District of Columbia has 4.8% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Wisconsin
33 in
District of Columbia
45 in
District of Columbia is 34% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Wisconsin
40
District of Columbia
47
District of Columbia has 18% higher AQI
Snow / year
Wisconsin
50 in
District of Columbia
11 in
District of Columbia is 78% less annual snowfall

Get the full WisconsinDistrict of Columbia 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 District of Columbia than Wisconsin?

District of Columbia's overall price level is roughly 117.4 (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. District of Columbia tops out at 10.75%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in District of Columbia?

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

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