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Moving from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters. vs. Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

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.

PA state flag
Moving to

Pennsylvania

Capital: Harrisburg

Median household income $73,170 · winter low 22°F · 179 sunny days

Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

Pennsylvania has an overall price level 97.6 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Wisconsin
94.1
Pennsylvania
97.6
Pennsylvania has 3.7% higher overall price level
Housing index
Wisconsin
79.3
Pennsylvania
85.1
Pennsylvania has 7.3% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.5
Pennsylvania
99.4
Pennsylvania has 0.9% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Wisconsin
99.1
Pennsylvania
99.6
Pennsylvania has 0.5% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania
20.9 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania has 11% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.8
Pennsylvania
99.5
Pennsylvania has 0.7% higher transportation
Median home value
Wisconsin
$294,700
Pennsylvania
$277,600
Pennsylvania is 5.8% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Pennsylvania
$1,064/mo
Pennsylvania is 8.4% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 85°F · Winter low 22°F · 179 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Wisconsin
81°F
Pennsylvania
85°F
Pennsylvania is 4.9% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Wisconsin
9°F
Pennsylvania
22°F
Pennsylvania is 144% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Wisconsin
44°F
Pennsylvania
50°F
Pennsylvania is 12% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Wisconsin
188
Pennsylvania
179
Pennsylvania has 4.8% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Wisconsin
33 in
Pennsylvania
44 in
Pennsylvania is 31% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Wisconsin
40
Pennsylvania
40
Snow / year
Wisconsin
50 in
Pennsylvania
43 in
Pennsylvania is 14% less annual snowfall

Get the full WisconsinPennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania than Wisconsin?

Pennsylvania's overall price level is roughly 96.8 (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. Pennsylvania tops out at 3.07%.

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

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

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