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Moving from Wisconsin to Michigan

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters. vs. Great Lakes, auto industry, rebounding Detroit.

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.

MI state flag
Moving to

Michigan

Capital: Lansing

Median household income $68,995 · winter low 17°F · 165 sunny days

Great Lakes, auto industry, rebounding Detroit.

Michigan has an overall price level 96.2 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Wisconsin
94.1
Michigan
96.2
Michigan has 2.3% higher overall price level
Housing index
Wisconsin
79.3
Michigan
82.3
Michigan has 3.8% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.5
Michigan
99.1
Michigan has 0.5% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Wisconsin
99.1
Michigan
99.4
Electricity rate
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Michigan
21.2 ¢/kWh
Michigan has 13% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.8
Michigan
99.2
Median home value
Wisconsin
$294,700
Michigan
$254,200
Michigan is 14% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Michigan
$967/mo
Michigan is 1.5% cheaper to rent

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

Summer high 82°F · Winter low 17°F · 165 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Wisconsin
81°F
Michigan
82°F
Michigan is 1.2% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Wisconsin
9°F
Michigan
17°F
Michigan is 89% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Wisconsin
44°F
Michigan
46°F
Michigan is 2.7% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Wisconsin
188
Michigan
165
Michigan has 12% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Wisconsin
33 in
Michigan
33 in
Air quality (live AQI)
Wisconsin
40
Michigan
44
Michigan has 10% higher AQI
Snow / year
Wisconsin
50 in
Michigan
77 in
Michigan is 54% more annual snowfall

Get the full WisconsinMichigan 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 Michigan than Wisconsin?

Michigan's overall price level is roughly 92.2 (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. Michigan tops out at 4.25%.

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

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

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