Arkansas to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 726 mile interstate move from Arkansas to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs milder summer climate), food & health (like Fried Catfish vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (traditional, ranch vs craftsman, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Catfish and Smoked Pork Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 45% more expensive than they are in Arkansas
- Rent in Wisconsin is 5.00% more affordable than in Arkansas
- Moving from Arkansas to Wisconsin will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Arkansas to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers
Arkansas to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arkansas to Wisconsin
- Hot, humid summers
- Limited winter activities
- Less diverse cuisine
- Fewer urban areas
- Milder summer climate
- Snow sports opportunities
- Rich food culture
- More metropolitan cities
- Higher cost of living
- Harsh winter conditions
- Less casual friendliness
- Industrial economy focus
- Lower cost of living
- Mild winters
- Southern hospitality
- Strong agricultural roots
Pros of moving from Arkansas to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to a milder summer climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited winter activities and moving to Wisconsin with snow sports opportunities
- Swap the less diverse cuisine of Arkansas for a rich food culture in Wisconsin
- Get ready for more metropolitan cities in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from Arkansas to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Arkansas to live with a higher cost of living in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of mild winters and have to settle for the con of harsh winter conditions
- Time to bid farewell to southern hospitality and get used to a less casual friendliness in Wisconsin
- Swap strong agricultural roots for an industrial economy focus
Arkansas vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arkansas | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Catfish | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Pork Ribs | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Tamales | Bratwurst |
Most popular vegan food | Black Bean Burger | Beer-battered Portobello Mushrooms |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Arkansas to Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Fried Catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Pork Ribs and sumptuous Tamales, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Bratwurst to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Black Bean Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Beer-battered Portobello Mushrooms of Wisconsin. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arkansas eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, Sims Bar-B-Que, and The Southern Grist. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like The Old Fashioned, Mader's, and Graze.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arkansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Wisconsin compared to what you are used to in Arkansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and Wisconsin
Comparison | Arkansas | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Traditional, Ranch | Craftsman, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large Yards, Privacy | Proximity to Water, Green Spaces |
- The Traditional and Ranch architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Cape Cod architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Arkansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to water and green spaces.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Wisconsin is more walkable than Arkansas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than Arkansas.
- Wisconsin has more of an urban feel than Arkansas.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 45% more expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Arkansasβs $203,305.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 41% increase in Arkansas.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 5.00% more affordable than in Arkansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arkansas and Wisconsin
Comparison | Arkansas | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, Floods | Snowstorms, Cold Waves |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 92Β°F / 73Β°F | 82Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 51Β°F / 32Β°F | 27Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 32" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5" | 48" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arkansas to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 14% fewer sunshine days than Arkansas.
- Wisconsin has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arkansas.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Arkansas, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and cold waves in Wisconsin.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 10 degrees colder than that in Arkansas.
- The average winter lows are 19 degrees colder than they are in Arkansas.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 18 fewer inches of rain compared to Arkansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and Wisconsin
Comparison | Arkansas | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,432 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.5 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 5.9% | 7.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.62% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.47% | 5.43% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Retail Trade | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Tourism |
Affluence | Modest | Moderate |
Poverty | Higher | Lower |
Homelessness | Less | More |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 28% more than in Arkansas
- The COLI in Wisconsin is 6% higher than what you are used to living in Arkansas
- The state income tax in WI is 7.65% compared to 5.9% in AR
- The affluence in Wisconsin is moderate compared to modest in Arkansas
- The poverty level is lower in Wisconsin compared to higher in Arkansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is less in Arkansas and more in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Arkansas | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Swing State |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Mixed Political Control |
Religion | Protestant Majority | Mixed Religious Landscape |
- Arkansas tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as a mixed religious landscape
- Arkansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Protestant majority
Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to Wisconsin
Comparison | Arkansas | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Baker Interdistrict Elementary School Little Rock; Vandergriff Elementary School Fayetteville; Forest Park Elementary Little Rock | Swallow Elementary School Hartland; Lake Country School Hartland; Richmond School Sussex |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Lisa Academy North Middle School Sherwood; Haas Hall Academy Fayetteville; Bentonville Middle School Bentonville | Whitefish Bay Middle School Whitefish Bay; Kromrey Middle School Middleton; Lake Shore Middle School Mequon |
Top 3 High Schools | Haas Hall Academy Fayetteville; Bentonville High School Bentonville; Central High School Little Rock | Brookfield East High School Brookfield; Whitefish Bay High School Whitefish Bay; Cedarburg High School Cedarburg |
Top 3 private high schools | Pulaski Academy Little Rock; Mount St. Mary Academy Little Rock; Shiloh Christian School Springdale | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee; Brookfield Academy Brookfield; Marquette University High School Milwaukee |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Subiaco Academy Subiaco; Arkansas Baptist School Little Rock; The Anthony School Little Rock | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee; Brookfield Academy Brookfield; St. John's Northwestern Academies Delafield |
Top 3 School Districts | Bentonville School District Fayetteville Public Schools Rogers School District | Elmbrook Schools Whitefish Bay School District Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District |
How Much Do Arkansas to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 726 miles from Arkansas to Wisconsin will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,614 | 300 ft3 | $5.38 |
1 Bedroom | $2,399 | 450 ft3 | $5.33 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,960 | 750 ft3 | $5.28 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,753 | 1100 ft3 | $5.23 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,288 | 1600 ft3 | $5.18 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,234 | 1800 ft3 | $5.13 |
Top Arkansas to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arkansas to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.