Florida to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 1,385 mile interstate move from Florida to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Florida vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricane risks vs four distinct seasons), food & health (like Key Lime Pie vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (mediterranean, modern vs craftsman, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Florida), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Key Lime Pie and Cuban Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in Florida
- Rent in Wisconsin is 43.80% more affordable than in Florida
- Moving from Florida to Wisconsin will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Florida to Wisconsin movers is Sebastian Moving and More
Florida to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Florida to Wisconsin
- Hurricane risks
- High humidity
- Overcrowded beaches
- Four distinct seasons
- Lower living costs
- Abundant natural parks
- Harsh snowfall
- No ocean coast
- Quieter after dark
- Warm winters
- Beach access
- Vibrant nightlife
Pros of moving from Florida to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to hurricane risks and hello to four distinct seasons
- Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to Wisconsin with lower living costs
- Swap the overcrowded beaches of Florida for abundant natural parks in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from Florida to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from warm winters in Florida to live with harsh snowfall in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of beach access and have to settle for the con of no ocean coast
- Time to bid farewell to vibrant nightlife and get used to quieter after dark in Wisconsin
Florida vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Florida | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Key Lime Pie | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Cuban Sandwich | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Empanadas | Fried Cheese Curds |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | 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 Florida to Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Key Lime Pie of Florida for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Florida rave about their flavorful Cuban Sandwich and sumptuous Empanadas, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Fried Cheese Curds to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos 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 Florida eateries like Joe's Stone Crab, Versailles Restaurant, and Bern's Steak House. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like Mader's, The Safe House, and The Old Fashioned.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Florida. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Wisconsin compared to what you are used to in Florida. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Florida and Wisconsin
Comparison | Florida | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Mediterranean, Modern | Craftsman, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Pool, Waterfront | Large Yards, Proximity to Nature |
- The Mediterranean and Modern architecture that Florida is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Colonial architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Florida's real estate listings that commonly reference pools and waterfronts, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and proximity to nature.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Wisconsin is more walkable than Florida.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Wisconsin is less bike-friendly than Florida.
- Wisconsin has less of an urban feel than Florida.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in Florida, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Floridaβs $397,137.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 66% increase in Florida.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 43.80% more affordable than in Florida.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Florida and Wisconsin
Comparison | Florida | 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 | Hurricanes, Tropical Storms | Snowstorms, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 75Β°F | 82Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 70Β°F / 48Β°F | 28Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 32" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0" | 48" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Florida to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 21% fewer sunshine days than Florida.
- Wisconsin has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Florida.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Wisconsin.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 8 degrees colder than Florida.
- The average winter lows in Wisconsin are 35 degrees colder than they are in Florida.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 18 fewer inches of rain compared to Florida.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Florida and Wisconsin
Comparison | Florida | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,303 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 97.8 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 3.54% - 7.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 5.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Agriculture, Aerospace | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Average | Below Average |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 2% more than in Florida
- The COLI in Wisconsin is 2% lower than what you are used to living in Florida
- Bummer... By moving from Florida to Wisconsin, you'll now have a state income tax of 3.54% to 7.65%
- The affluence in Wisconsin is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Florida
- The poverty level is below average in Wisconsin compared to average in Florida
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Florida and low in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Florida vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Florida | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, trending Republican | Mixed, with a slight Democratic lean |
Local Politics | Varies significantly by region | Less variation, but urban areas lean more Democratic |
Religion | Christian majority, with a notable presence of other faiths | Primarily Christian, with Lutheran and Catholic dominances |
- Florida tends to lean mixed, trending Republican in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with a slight Democratic lean
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with Lutheran and Catholic dominances
- Florida's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a notable presence of other faiths
Education Guide When Moving from Florida to Wisconsin
Comparison | Florida | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Florida Florida State University University of Central Florida | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Doral Academy Charter School (Doral) Archimedean Academy (Miami) Pine View School (Osprey) | Shorewood Hills Elementary (Shorewood Hills) Elm Lawn Elementary (Middleton) Swanson Elementary (Brookfield) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Archimedean Middle Conservatory (Miami) Doral Academy Charter Middle School (Doral) Pine View School (Osprey) | Kromrey Middle School (Middleton) Pilgrim Park Middle School (Elm Grove) Lake Shore Middle School (Mequon) |
Top 3 High Schools | Design and Architecture Senior High (Miami) Pine View School (Osprey) Stanton College Preparatory (Jacksonville) | Madison West High School (Madison) Middleton High School (Middleton) Brookfield East High School (Brookfield) |
Top 3 private high schools | Ransom Everglades School (Coconut Grove) Pine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale) Bolles School (Jacksonville) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High School (Milwaukee) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Gulliver Prep (Miami) American Heritage School (Plantation) North Broward Preparatory School (Coconut Creek) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) The Prairie School (Racine) St. John's Northwestern Academies (Delafield) |
Top 3 School Districts | St. Johns County School District Sarasota County Schools Okaloosa County School District | Elmbrook School District Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Whitefish Bay School District |
How Much Do Florida to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 1,385 miles from Florida to Wisconsin will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,988 | 300 ft3 | $6.63 |
1 Bedroom | $2,959 | 450 ft3 | $6.58 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,894 | 750 ft3 | $6.53 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,123 | 1100 ft3 | $6.48 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,281 | 1600 ft3 | $6.43 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,476 | 1800 ft3 | $6.38 |
Top Florida to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Florida to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sebastian Moving and More
Best moving company overall for Florida to Wisconsin