Wisconsin

Is moving to Wisconsin right for you?

If you like cheese curd and frozen custard or you’d love to enjoy fresh meals from farm to table, moving to Wisconsin will be a great idea.

Wisconsin is home to 47 state parks, 84,000 river miles, 13 state forests, 15,000 lakes, and 76 state wildlife areas making it the perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts.

If you’d like to live in a state with a low property and violent crime rate below the national average, moving to Wisconsin is perfect for you.

Housing costs in Wisconsin are below the national average, commuting time is shorter than the national average and the state’s job market is vibrant.

If all of that sounds like what you’d like to be a part of, moving to Wisconsin is perfect for you.

This guide contains all the information you need about moving to Wisconsin in order to make the right decision.

Demographics

Wisconsin Demographics

A quick look at the population and other demographics of Wisconsin.

Male vs Female Population of Wisconsin 2021

Male vs Female Population by Age Groups in Wisconsin 2021

Population distribution by Ethnicity in Wisconsin 2021

move to Wisconsin

Quick facts to know before moving to Wisconsin

  • Wisconsin median home price is $188,100
  • The average hourly rate in Wisconsin is $32.00 an hour
  • In Wisconsin, the average one-way commute time is 22.0 minutes
  • Wisconsin’s cost of living is 90.9. U.S. average is 100
  • Wisconsin Income tax is 3.54% - 7.65%
  • Milwaukee is the largest state in Wisconsin

What’s the population of Wisconsin?

Wisconsin is home to 5.88 million people and is the 23rd most densely populated state in the country. Here’s a breakdown of the state’s population:

  • 50.27% of Wisconsin residents are female
  • Around 49.73% of Wisconsin residents are male
  • On every square mile of Wisconsin land, there’s an average of 105 people
  • Milwaukee is the largest state in Wisconsin with a population of 600,000

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How is the weather like in Wisconsin?

If the weather is on your checklist of things to consider before moving to Wisconsin, here’s a quick breakdown of the state’s weather:

  • Wisconsin summer high in July is around 81 degrees
  • Wisconsin winter low in January is around 7 degrees
  • Wisconsin averages 34 inches of rain a year
  • Wisconsin averages 48 inches of snow a year

How fast can you commute in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, the average one-way commute time is 22.0 minutes. The national average is 26.4 minutes. Shorter commuting time means less stress on the road and a longer lifespan. Shorter commuting time is one of the key perks of moving to Wisconsin:

  • Around 80.9% of Wisconsin residents drive their own car alone
  • Up to 8.1% of Wisconsin residents carpool with others
  • About 4.4% of Wisconsin residents work from home
  • Up to 1.9% of Wisconsin residents take mass transit
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Top 10 Reasons To Move Wisconsin

Moving to Wisconsin sounds so appealing for several key reasons. The state is known for so many remarkable and exciting things. Here are the top 10 reasons why people are moving to Wisconsin:

  • If you love beer, cheese, and brats, welcome to Wisconsin!

    Wisconsin is predominantly a dairy state and this contributes to the production of the best cheese in the country. In addition, the state also boasts of the best beer in the US. Milwaukee, the capital is also nicknamed as ‘Brew City’ for its rich brewing history. Some of the iconic beer brands are brewed in Wisconsin.

  • Affordable cost of living

    The average cost of living in Wisconsin is lower than the national average, which means everything ranging from housing, education, healthcare, transportation, and groceries are cheaper in the state.

  • Buying a home is cheaper compared to most states

    In Wisconsin, you have great chances of owning a home as the median home price is $188,100, much lower than the national average of $284,600. Even the home rent is lower than the neighboring states. The average rent of a studio apartment in Wisconsin is $588 while the average rent of a 3-bedroom home or apartment in Wisconsin is $1,137.

  • You’ll enjoy sports in the state

    Wisconsin has a strong sports culture and the state is crazy about American football, basketball, and baseball. The professional teams in the state have won many league championships.

  • Lots of festivals go down in Wisconsin

    In Wisconsin, people need a reason to celebrate. And maybe that’s the reason for the unlimited festivals in the state. Music concerts by the lakeside, wine and harvest festivals by the farm, and summer festivals in pleasant weather—festivals are just as much a part of Wisconsin.

    We’ve got a list of the popular festivals in Wisconsin that reflect the real state culture.

    • Warrens Cranberry Festival
    • Harry Potter Festival
    • Morel Mushroom Festival
    • Brat fest
    • Wine and Harvest Fest
    • Applefest
    • Rock USA Music Festival
    • Patrick’s Day Parade
    • Summer Set Music and Camping Festival
    • Dane County Fair, Madison
  • Wisconsin is home to various breathtaking attractions

    From stunning sea caves to towering waterfalls, Wisconsin is home to some of the most breathtaking natural wonders. Beautiful coastlines, untouched landscapes, and historic settings – Wisconsin boast of the best scenic settings in the country.

    Here’s a list of the best natural attractions in Wisconsin

    • The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
    • Big Manitou Falls
    • Cave of the Mounds
    • Devil’s Lake State Park
    • Eagle River Chain of Lakes
    • Horicon Marsh
    • Wyalusing State Park
  • Top-quality schools

    Wisconsin ranks high in education at the national level. The state has some of the country’s top-notch schools and colleges.

  • There’s never a dull moment in Wisconsin

    Blessed with serene natural surroundings and amazing fun factors to engage in, Wisconsin never lets you get bored. Some of the amazing places to visit in Wisconsin include:

    • National Railroad Museum
    • Olbrich Botanical Gardens
    • Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear
    • Harley-Davidson Museum
    • EAA AirVenture Museum
    • Tristan Crist Magic Theatre
    • Bookworm Gardens
    • The Historic Third Ward
    • Henry Vilas Zoo
    • Noah’s Ark Water Park
    • Frank Lloyd Wright Buildings
    • Minocqua Lake
    • The Wisconsin Great River Road
  • Summer is always remarkable and exciting

    In Wisconsin, summer is sweeter with every park turning into an art fair. The summer is hot and humid but the temperature hardly crosses 90°F. And this makes summer the great season to explore unlimited outdoor activities, including hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and rafting.

  • You’ll have more access to freshwater

    With 15,000 inland lakes, more than 33,000 miles of rivers and streams, two Great Lakes, and the Mississippi River, Wisconsin has more water than even Minnesota. And that makes fishing, boating, and swimming in fresh water a routine job in summer.

pros

Pros & Cons of Living in Wisconsin

Considering the pros and cons of living in Wisconsin will make it easier for you to decide if moving to the state is right for you or not. We’ve listed the pros and cons of living in Wisconsin to give you a head start:

Pros of living in Wisconsin
  • The cost of living in Wisconsin is below the national average
  • Affordable monthly rent
  • Lots of recreational activities
  • Enjoy all four seasons in Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin is home to lots of parks
  • You’ll enjoy lots of festivals in Wisconsin
  • Endless cheese, brewskis, and brats
Cons of living in Wisconsin
  • You’ll have to put up with some higher taxes
  • Extreme temperatures (summer and winter)
  • Moo smell in rural areas
  • Lack of diversity
  • Limited food options
  • Most of the state’s residents are overweight
  • You’ll have to put up with all sorts of burgs in Wisconsin
  • Some Wisconsin laws are weird and ridiculous
  • Low income

10 Best Places to Live in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is home to several beautiful cities. Moving to Wisconsin means getting the chance to live in any of these beautiful cities. Here are the top ten best places to live in Wisconsin to help you streamline your house hunting:

Rank City Population Unemployment Rate Home Value
1 Fox Point 6,650 1.0% $325,700
2 Whitefish Bay 13,972 2.2% $387,000
3 Elm Grove 6,153 1.6% $370,500
4 Cedarburg 11,527 1.6% $303,500
5 Oregon 10,353 1.3% $256,500
6 Mount Horeb 7,449 1.3% $262,900
7 Hartland 9,268 1.0% $292,500
8 Middleton 19,487 2.5% $336,900
9 Mcfarland 8,650 3.1% $249,200
10 Waunakee 13,730 2.5% $346,300

Cost of living in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s cost of living is 90.9. The United States average is 100. That means the average cost of living in Wisconsin is lower than the United States average making it appealing to many millennials and young families.

Here’s a breakdown of some items that make up the cost of living in Wisconsin:

Cost of living Wisconsin United States
Overall 90.9 100
Grocery 94.7 100
Health 100.3 100
Housing 81.4 100
Median Home Cost $188,100 $231,200
Utilities 99 100
Transportation 86.9 100
Miscellaneous 99 100
The national average is 100.

Healthcare costs in Wisconsin

Similar to several other states, healthcare cost is rated among the top things to consider before moving to Wisconsin. To give you an idea of what to expect, here’s the average monthly cost of a Silver health plan in Wisconsin:

Family size Average monthly cost of health plan
Individual plus child $851
Couple, age 40 $1,065
Family of three (adult couple and a child) $1,384
Family of four (adult couple and two children) $1,703
Family of five (adult couple and three children) $2,022

Tip: When you’ve got a home to move in Wisconsin, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.

Education costs in Wisconsin

If education cost is one of the key things you’d like to be aware of before making up your mind to move to Wisconsin, we’ve collated key data about education costs in the state. Since you’re considering moving to Wisconsin, here’s the average cost of college education in the state:

Cost Undergraduate Graduate
In-State Out-of-State In-State Out-of-State
Tuition & Fees $6,308 $11,681 $9,348 $18,833
Books & Supplies $1,216 $1,216
Room & Board $12,214 $12,214
COA $19,739 $25,111 $22,778 $32,263

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How is the housing market in Wisconsin?

Housing is a key factor to mull over before making up your mind about moving to Wisconsin. Home affordability is high in Wisconsin and the state has more homeowners than renters. However, renting or buying a home are both good options if you’re moving to Wisconsin.

Median home prices in Wisconsin

Wisconsin median home price is $188,100. The United States median home price is $284,600. Over the last ten years, homes in Wisconsin have appreciated by 17.2%. Currently, home values in Wisconsin have increased by 6.6%.

Average home rental prices in Wisconsin

Renting a home is a suitable housing option if you’re moving to Wisconsin. Renters in Wisconsin make up 28.1% of the state’s population. About 1.5% of homes and apartments in Wisconsin are available to rent. Here’s a breakdown of the average home rental cost in Wisconsin:

  • The average cost of a Studio apartment in Wisconsin is $588
  • The average cost of a 1-bedroom home or apartments in Wisconsin is $681
  • The average cost of a 2-bedroom home or apartment in Wisconsin is $856
  • The average cost of a 3-bedroom home or apartment in Wisconsin is $1,137
  • The average cost of a 4-bedroom home or apartment in Wisconsin is $1,280

Median House Price in Wisconsin vs USA 2021

Median Rent Price in Wisconsin vs USA 2021

Cost of Living by Categories in Wisconsin vs USA 2021

Number of Households by Income Level in Wisconsin

Median Income in Wisconsin vs USA

Unemployment Rate in Wisconsin vs USA

What are the best schools and universities in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin is home to some of the best universities, colleges, elementary, middle, and high schools in the country.

Since you’re considering moving to Wisconsin, here’s a list of the best schools in the state:

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