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Moving from Wisconsin to North Carolina

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters. vs. Research Triangle boom, banking, mountains + coast.

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.

NC state flag
Moving to

North Carolina

Capital: Raleigh

Median household income $66,186 · winter low 30°F · 213 sunny days

Research Triangle boom, banking, mountains + coast.

North Carolina has an overall price level 94.3 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Wisconsin
94.1
North Carolina
94.3
Housing index
Wisconsin
79.3
North Carolina
81.4
North Carolina has 2.6% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.5
North Carolina
98.6
Utilities index (modeled)
Wisconsin
99.1
North Carolina
99.1
Electricity rate
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
North Carolina
16 ¢/kWh
North Carolina has 15% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.8
North Carolina
98.9
Median home value
Wisconsin
$294,700
North Carolina
$333,000
North Carolina is 13% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Wisconsin
$982/mo
North Carolina
$1,274/mo
North Carolina is 30% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 88°F · Winter low 30°F · 213 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Wisconsin
81°F
North Carolina
88°F
North Carolina is 8.6% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Wisconsin
9°F
North Carolina
30°F
North Carolina is 233% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Wisconsin
44°F
North Carolina
59°F
North Carolina is 32% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Wisconsin
188
North Carolina
213
North Carolina has 13% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Wisconsin
33 in
North Carolina
50 in
North Carolina is 49% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Wisconsin
40
North Carolina
38
North Carolina has 5.0% lower AQI
Snow / year
Wisconsin
50 in
North Carolina
6 in
North Carolina is 88% less annual snowfall

Get the full WisconsinNorth Carolina 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 North Carolina than Wisconsin?

North Carolina's overall price level is roughly 95 (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. North Carolina tops out at 3.99%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in North Carolina?

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

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