Ultimate Guide to Living in Wisconsin

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So, you’re curious about living in Wisconsin? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

The expert movers, travelers, and worldwide locals that make up the team at Relocalate.com are here to help. 

We’ve compiled the ultimate guides to answer the most common questions people just like you have about living in the great state of Wisconsin.

Dive deep into the topics you’re interested in to make sure your new home in Wisconsin matches what you’re looking for. 

We’ll explore whether Wisconsin is a good place for YOU to live, and we’ll highlight some of the best cities for you to visit, explore, and ultimately call home. 

Pros and Cons of Living in Wisconsin

You’ve heard it before, and it’s true: no place is perfect. What matters is how good of a fit it is for you.

Relocalate.com is here to help you decide whether Wisconsin is the best place for YOU to live. 

Here are some reasons to love living in Wisconsin:

  • Lower cost of living than some other states.
  • There’s a variety of weather to experience throughout the year, and the summers are beautiful.
  • Access to 2 of the Great Lakes and many forests.

And, on the flip side, here are some of the downsides of living in Wisconsin:

  • The winters can be very cold with lots of snow – sometimes even more than two feet. You might want to invest in snow boots if you haven’t already!
  • The winters can be very, very long. If you’re not used to them or don’t have a lot of experience driving in snow and ice, it might take some getting used to!
  • There’s less variety than other states when it comes to jobs – but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any good ones available.



Read More: Is Wisconsin a Good Place to Live?

Best Place to Live in Wisconsin

So, you’ve got your heart set on living in Wisconsin? Well, the decision making doesn’t end there. You’ve still got to decide where to live in Wisconsin!

In some other articles, we’ll dive deeper into some of the best places to live in Wisconsin. 

Our experts have considered a whole bunch of different criteria to select the top locations, including:

  • The best places to live for families, retirees, singles, young adults, outdoor lovers, foodies, and more. 
  • The safest places to live. 
  • The cheapest places to live. 
  • The best schools. 
  • The best job markets. 
  • The best housing markets. 
  • And so much more. 

Just want a quick list? No worries, here are some of the best cities to live in Wisconsin:

  • Elm Grove
  • Madison
  • Milwaukee
  • Whitefish Bay


Read More: Best Places to Live in Wisconsin

Checklist for Moving to Wisconsin

So now you’re preparing for your big move to Wisconsin. Maybe you’ve even started packing!

As you probably already know, there are a lot of things to take care of when you’re moving. Both in your current state and once you get to Wisconsin.

Here are some of the major things you’ll want to take care of when you move to Wisconsin:

  1. Updating your address with USPS. 
  2. Getting your Wisconsin driver’s license. 
  3. Transferring your vehicle titles and registrations to Wisconsin
  4. Getting Wisconsin car insurance.
  5. Signing up for health insurance in Wisconsin and finding new doctors, dentists, and local hospitals. 
  6. Updating/changing other insurance policies you may need (homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, pet insurance, motorcycle insurance, etc.)
  7. Registering to vote in your district in Wisconsin.
  8. Updating your address with your banks, credit cards, subscription services, loans, investments, phone plans, and bill pay. 
  9. Enrolling your kids in their new school district. 
  10. Licensing your pets and finding a new vet. 
  11. Setting up your utilities for your new home. 
  12. Preparing to file state taxes for Wisconsin and your previous home state. 

Visit your Wisconsin Moving Checklist for a detailed guide on all of the above.  

Read More: Moving to Wisconsin Checklist


While we’re at it, let’s cover some high-level questions and fun facts about Wisconsin.

Things to Know About Living in Wisconsin

As you’re preparing for your move or getting settled into your new home in Wisconsin, here are some things to know about living there. 

Cost of Living in Wisconsin

One thing to consider when moving to a new state is the relative cost of living

Wisconsin ranks 22nd on the Cost of Living Index with an overall rating of 96.9, meaning it’s a relatively less expensive place to live. 

Here is how Wisconsin scores for the cost of living in each specific category:

  • Groceries: 100.9
  • Housing: 88.6
  • Utilities: 98.1
  • Transportation: 97.8
  • Health: 115.6
  • Miscellaneous: 98.9

The average cost of living in this index is scored at 100. The numbers above represent the percentage of the average. A number higher than 100 represents an above average cost of living, while a number lower than 100 represents a lower cost of living. A lower rank indicates a lower cost of living. 

This data comes from the Cost of Living Index prepared by the Council for Economic Research (C2ER), which compiles data from cities across the country to rank and compare the differences in costs of living. 

Sales Tax Rates in Wisconsin

Sales tax is a way that state and local governments collect tax revenue from its residents and visitors. 

These taxes are applied when you purchase something. It’ll show up on your receipt or bill. If you’ve recently moved to Wisconsin from somewhere else, the new sales tax rates may surprise you. 

On top of the state sales tax rates, local rates for certain counties and cities may apply and vary as well.

Wisconsin’s state sales tax rate is lower than the national average at 5%, with an average local rate of .43% (the highest local sales tax rate is 1.75%). Across the state, the average sales tax rate is about 5.43%. 

Check with the Wisconsin tax office for the most current tax rates.

Real-Estate Property Tax Rates in Wisconsin

If you own or plan to own real estate in Wisconsin, you’ll want to think about the property tax rates when you move there. 

Wisconsin ranks 46th (from low to high) for its state property tax rate of 1.85%.

There may be additional property taxes on top of the rate stated here depending on your county, city, and school districts

Check with the Wisconsin tax office for the most current tax rates.

Wisconsin’s Job Market & Economy

Another thing to think about when moving to Wisconsin is the job market and economic indicators

Overall, Wisconsin ranks 21st for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the United States. 

The GDP measures the overall monetary value of all goods and services produced within a certain place over a period of time. 

Its top 10 industries (ranked from largest to smallest by economic contribution to the state) are:

  • Manufacturing
  • Real estate and rental and leasing
  • Educational services, health care, and social assistance
  • Professional and business services
  • Finance and insurance
  • Wholesale trade
  • Retail trade
  • Construction
  • Information
  • Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services

The top employer in Wisconsin is University of Wisconsin.

Notable Destinations and Landmarks in Wisconsin

Our Wisconsin moving guide wouldn’t be complete without a brief mention of some of the most iconic destinations in the state

When you get settled in, a road trip may just be in order. 

One of the most iconic landmarks in Wisconsin is Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin East.

Facts about Wisconsin

Wisconsin is the 30th state of the United States that lies in the midwest region. To its north is Michigan, to its south is Illinois, to its east is Lake Michigan and Michigan, and to its west is Minnesota and Iowa.

What is the capital of Wisconsin?

The capital of Wisconsin is Madison.

Madison is located in Dane County with a population of 233,000.

What is the population of Wisconsin?

The population of Wisconsin based on 2020 US Census data is 5,893,718.

What is the largest city in Wisconsin?

The largest city in Wisconsin is Milwaukee. 

Milwaukee has a population of 592,025, and it is located in Milwaukee County.

What is the size of Wisconsin?

Wisconsin is 65,496 square miles, making it the 23rd largest state in the U.S.

What is the state motto of Wisconsin?

The state motto of Wisconsin is: Forward

What is the state bird of Wisconsin?

The state bird of Wisconsin is the American robin.

What is the state flower of Wisconsin?

The state flower of Wisconsin is the Wood violet.

What is the state tree of Wisconsin?

The state tree of Wisconsin is the Sugar Maple.

What is the minimum wage in the state of Wisconsin?

The minimum wage in Wisconsin is $7.25 per hour.

What is the median income in Wisconsin?

The median annual household salary in Wisconsin is $60,733.