Moving to Wisconsin: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to Wisconsin, you’re not alone. The Badger State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Milwaukee and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about Wisconsin, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to Wisconsin to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in Wisconsin
Like any big move, relocating to Wisconsin comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Badger State to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in WI
- ✓Low cost of living
- ✓High quality of life
- ✓Abundant outdoor recreational activities
- ✓Unique tasty food
- ✓Borders great lakes
Cons of living in WI
- ✖High tax burden
- ✖Extreme seasonal weather
- ✖Lack of diversity
- ✖Poor roads
- ✖High rate of alcoholism
Things to do in Wisconsin
Whether you’re moving to Wisconsin work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, Wisconsin has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in Wisconsin
- Waterparks, Wisconsin Dells
- Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee
- Door County
- Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison
- Lambeau Field And The Walk Of Legends
- Circus World Museum, Baraboo
- Geneva Lake Shore Path, Lake Geneva
- Wisconsin State Capitol
- EAA AirVenture Show And Museum, Oshkosh
- Cave of the Mounds, Blue Mounds
Museums in Wisconsin
- Harley-Davidson Museum
- Milwaukee Art Museum
- Civil War Museum
- Hearthstone Historic House Museum
- Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame
- EAA Aviation Museum
- Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
- Building for Kids
- Geneva Lake Museum of History
- Circus World
Parks in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Deer Park
- Cave Point County Park
- Timbavati Wildlife Park
- Carson Park
- Petrifying Springs Park
- Irvine Park
- Lakeside Park
- Fox River Park
- Riverside Park
- Minooka Park
Fun facts about Wisconsin
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about Wisconsin, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- Known as the Marathon County, Wisconsin produces the entire ginseng grown in the United States, which accounts for roughly 10% of the world’s supply.
- Wisconsin prohibited the sale and use of margarine starting from 1895 to 1967. Although the ban has since been lifted, there are still some restrictions that remain on margarine. Today, it is still illegal for restaurants to serve their customers margarine in place of butter unless the customer requests for it.
- The largest woolly mammal to have ever been excavated was discovered in Kenosha. Today Milwaukee Public Museum has a replica of this which you can watch at any time.
- Famed for her dairy production, Wisconsin is the no.1 exporter of cranberries, sweet corn, ginseng, and second-largest exporter of whey in the United States.
- Madison was not the original capital of the state. Rather, the original was Belmont. It was founded in 1836 at the time that Wisconsin wasn’t a state yet but a territory.
- Green Bay is Wisconsin’s oldest city. Most people think it is Milwaukee or Madison but clearly neither of these is. Green Bay can be traced to a French explorer by the name of Jean Nicolet who began a small trading shop way back in 1634.
- Oshkosh, a small town found on Lake Winnebago to the Northwest of Milwaukee, is prominent for two things: the first is its popular line of children’s clothing, and secondly, the integral place it occupies on the world’s air show circuit.
- The Wisconsin Dells boasts the most number of water parks in a single area in the whole world.
- Wisconsin has more than 15,000 lakes and 13,500 miles (21,700 kilometers) of navigable streams and rivers. Almost 3 percent of Wisconsin’s area—nearly a million acres (405,000 hectares)—is lakes.
Wisconsin population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to Wisconsin, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Badger State.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in Wisconsin, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Population | 5,910,955 |
| Female | 49.9% |
| Male | 51.9% |
| College graduation rate | 31.0% |
| Political leaning | Republican 51-49 |
| Crime index | 16.82 |
Wisconsin weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether Wisconsin is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if Wisconsin aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 81ºF |
| Winter low | 7ºF |
| Annual rain | 34″ |
| Annual snow | 48″ |
Income and cost of living in Wisconsin
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in Wisconsin.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in Wisconsin and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Manufacturing ($63.1 billion)
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($39.3 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($33.4 billion)
- Professional and business services ($33.2 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($26.1 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($20.6 billion)
- Retail trade ($18.7 billion)
- Construction ($13.9 billion)
- Information ($11.6 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($10.7 billion)
| Metric | Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,100 |
| Average home cost | $306,566 |
| Average income (per capita) | $72,458 |
| Cost of living index* | 99 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 7.65% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in Wisconsin
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what Wisconsin has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in Wisconsin:
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Marquette University
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
- Medical College of Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
- University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
- University of Wisconsin-Stout
- Lawrence University
- Beloit College
- Milwaukee School of Engineering
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Wisconsin
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Badger State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to WI
- Arkansas to WI
- Arizona to WI
- California to WI
- Colorado to WI
- Connecticut to WI
- Delaware to WI
- Florida to WI
- Georgia to WI
- Iowa to WI
- Idaho to WI
- Illinois to WI
- Indiana to WI
- Kansas to WI
- Kentucky to WI
- Louisiana to WI
- Massachusetts to WI
- Maryland to WI
- Maine to WI
- Michigan to WI
- Minnesota to WI
- Missouri to WI
- Mississippi to WI
- Montana to WI
- North Carolina to WI
- North Dakota to WI
- Nebraska to WI
- New Hampshire to WI
- New Jersey to WI
- New Mexico to WI
- Nevada to WI
- New York to WI
- Ohio to WI
- Oklahoma to WI
- Oregon to WI
- Pennsylvania to WI
- Rhode Island to WI
- South Carolina to WI
- South Dakota to WI
- Tennessee to WI
- Texas to WI
- Utah to WI
- Virginia to WI
- Vermont to WI
- Washington to WI
- West Virginia to WI
- Wyoming to WI
Cost of moving to Wisconsin
Before you take the leap to Wisconsin, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to Wisconsin
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Wisconsin.
Wisconsin car insurance requirements
Wisconsin drivers license requirements
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