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Moving from Wisconsin to New York

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters. vs. NYC global capital + huge upstate, high taxes, top healthcare.

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.

NY state flag
Moving to

New York

Capital: Albany

Median household income $81,386 · winter low 24°F · 184 sunny days

NYC global capital + huge upstate, high taxes, top healthcare.

New York has an overall price level 107.9 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Wisconsin
94.1
New York
107.9
New York has 15% higher overall price level
Housing index
Wisconsin
79.3
New York
122.2
New York has 54% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.5
New York
102.0
New York has 3.5% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Wisconsin
99.1
New York
101.2
New York has 2.1% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
New York
28.6 ¢/kWh
New York has 52% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.8
New York
101.6
New York has 2.8% higher transportation
Median home value
Wisconsin
$294,700
New York
$449,800
New York is 53% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Wisconsin
$982/mo
New York
$1,530/mo
New York is 56% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 84°F · Winter low 24°F · 184 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Wisconsin
81°F
New York
84°F
New York is 3.7% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Wisconsin
9°F
New York
24°F
New York is 167% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Wisconsin
44°F
New York
47°F
New York is 6.3% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Wisconsin
188
New York
184
New York has 2.1% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Wisconsin
33 in
New York
43 in
New York is 28% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Wisconsin
40
New York
39
New York has 2.5% lower AQI
Snow / year
Wisconsin
50 in
New York
76 in
New York is 52% more annual snowfall

Get the full WisconsinNew York 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 New York than Wisconsin?

New York's overall price level is roughly 109.5 (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. New York tops out at 10.9%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in New York?

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

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