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Moving from Wisconsin to Kansas

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters. vs. Plains, aviation industry, university towns.

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.

KS state flag
Moving to

Kansas

Capital: Topeka

Median household income $69,747 · winter low 21°F · 217 sunny days

Plains, aviation industry, university towns.

Kansas has an overall price level 90.1 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Wisconsin
94.1
Kansas
90.1
Kansas has 4.3% lower overall price level
Housing index
Wisconsin
79.3
Kansas
71.2
Kansas has 10% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.5
Kansas
97.5
Kansas has 1.0% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Wisconsin
99.1
Kansas
98.5
Kansas has 0.6% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Kansas
15.3 ¢/kWh
Kansas has 18% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.8
Kansas
98.0
Kansas has 0.8% lower transportation
Median home value
Wisconsin
$294,700
Kansas
$238,700
Kansas is 19% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Kansas
$861/mo
Kansas is 12% cheaper to rent

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

Summer high 89°F · Winter low 21°F · 217 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Wisconsin
81°F
Kansas
89°F
Kansas is 9.9% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Wisconsin
9°F
Kansas
21°F
Kansas is 133% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Wisconsin
44°F
Kansas
55°F
Kansas is 23% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Wisconsin
188
Kansas
217
Kansas has 15% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Wisconsin
33 in
Kansas
32 in
Kansas is 5.4% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Wisconsin
40
Kansas
38
Kansas has 5.0% lower AQI
Snow / year
Wisconsin
50 in
Kansas
16 in
Kansas is 68% less annual snowfall

Get the full WisconsinKansas 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 Kansas than Wisconsin?

Kansas's overall price level is roughly 90.1 (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. Kansas tops out at 5.58%.

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

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

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