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Moving from Wisconsin to Kentucky

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters. vs. Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix.

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.

KY state flag
Moving to

Kentucky

Capital: Frankfort

Median household income $60,183 · winter low 26°F · 189 sunny days

Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix.

Kentucky has an overall price level 90.2 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Wisconsin
94.1
Kentucky
90.2
Kentucky has 4.2% lower overall price level
Housing index
Wisconsin
79.3
Kentucky
64.3
Kentucky has 19% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.5
Kentucky
97.5
Kentucky has 1.0% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Wisconsin
99.1
Kentucky
98.5
Kentucky has 0.6% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Kentucky
14.9 ¢/kWh
Kentucky has 21% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.8
Kentucky
98.0
Kentucky has 0.8% lower transportation
Median home value
Wisconsin
$294,700
Kentucky
$226,000
Kentucky is 23% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Kentucky
$852/mo
Kentucky is 13% cheaper to rent

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

Summer high 87°F · Winter low 26°F · 189 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Wisconsin
81°F
Kentucky
87°F
Kentucky is 7.4% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Wisconsin
9°F
Kentucky
26°F
Kentucky is 189% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Wisconsin
44°F
Kentucky
56°F
Kentucky is 26% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Wisconsin
188
Kentucky
189
Kentucky has 0.5% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Wisconsin
33 in
Kentucky
48 in
Kentucky is 44% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Wisconsin
40
Kentucky
48
Kentucky has 20% higher AQI
Snow / year
Wisconsin
50 in
Kentucky
9 in
Kentucky is 82% less annual snowfall

Get the full WisconsinKentucky 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 Kentucky than Wisconsin?

Kentucky's overall price level is roughly 87.5 (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. Kentucky tops out at 3.5%.

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

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

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