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Moving from Wisconsin to Idaho

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters. vs. Boise tech migration, mountains, conservative.

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.

ID state flag
Moving to

Idaho

Capital: Boise

Median household income $70,214 · winter low 22°F · 199 sunny days

Boise tech migration, mountains, conservative.

Idaho has an overall price level 95.5 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Wisconsin
94.1
Idaho
95.5
Idaho has 1.5% higher overall price level
Housing index
Wisconsin
79.3
Idaho
90.0
Idaho has 14% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.5
Idaho
98.9
Utilities index (modeled)
Wisconsin
99.1
Idaho
99.3
Electricity rate
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Idaho
13 ¢/kWh
Idaho has 31% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.8
Idaho
99.1
Median home value
Wisconsin
$294,700
Idaho
$446,400
Idaho is 51% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Idaho
$1,057/mo
Idaho is 7.6% more expensive to rent

Sources: EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 87°F · Winter low 22°F · 199 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Wisconsin
81°F
Idaho
87°F
Idaho is 7.4% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Wisconsin
9°F
Idaho
22°F
Idaho is 144% more winter lows
Sunny days / year
Wisconsin
44.3
Idaho
199
Idaho has 349% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Wisconsin
188 in
Idaho
19 in
Idaho is 90% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Wisconsin
33.3
Idaho
34
Idaho has 2.1% higher AQI
Snow / year
Wisconsin
40 in
Idaho
50 in
Idaho is 25% more annual snowfall

Get the full WisconsinIdaho 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 Idaho than Wisconsin?

Idaho's overall price level is roughly 92.8 (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. Idaho tops out at 5.3%.

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

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

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