Idaho to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 1,605 mile interstate move from Idaho to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like rural isolation vs urban amenities), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (ranch, craftsman vs prairie, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Idaho Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Wisconsin is 22.60% more affordable than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to Wisconsin will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Idaho to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers
Idaho to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Wisconsin
- Rural isolation
- Limited job opportunities
- Harsh winters
- Limited cultural events
- Urban amenities
- Diverse job market
- Distinct seasonal beauty
- Rich cultural scene
- Fewer nature escapes
- Higher expenses
- Higher crime rates
- Less connected communities
- Natural landscapes
- Low cost of living
- Low crime rates
- Friendly communities
Pros of moving from Idaho to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to rural isolation and hello to urban amenities
- Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Wisconsin with a diverse job market
- Swap the harsh winters of Idaho for distinct seasonal beauty in Wisconsin
- Get ready for a rich cultural scene in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from Idaho to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from natural landscapes in Idaho to live with fewer nature escapes in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of a low cost of living and have to settle with the con of higher expenses
- Time to bid farewell to low crime rates and get used to higher crime rates in Wisconsin
- Swap friendly communities for less connected communities
Idaho vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Idaho Trout | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Finger Steaks | Fried Cheese Curds |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Vegan Bratwurst |
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 Idaho to Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Idaho Trout and sumptuous Finger Steaks, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Fried Cheese Curds to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Bratwurst of Wisconsin. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like Statehouse, Fork, and Juniper. 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, La Fibule, and Graze.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Wisconsin, compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Wisconsin
Comparison | Idaho | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Craftsman | Prairie, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, mountain views | Lakefront, energy efficiency |
- The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Cape Cod architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and mountain views, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like lakefront access and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Wisconsin is more walkable than Idaho.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
- Wisconsin has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Idahoβs $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 22.60% more affordable than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Wisconsin
Comparison | Idaho | 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 | Wildfires, Earthquakes | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°/40Β° | 82Β°/55Β° |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 34Β°/15Β° | 28Β°/13Β° |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 18" | 32" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60" | 48" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Idaho to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Idaho.
- Wisconsin has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Wisconsin.
- The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 3 degrees colder than in Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees colder than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 14 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Wisconsin
Comparison | Idaho | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 6.5% | 7.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.69% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.0% | 5.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 2% less than in Idaho
- The COLI in Wisconsin will be 5% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
- The state income tax in WI is 7.65% compared to 6.5% in ID
- The affluence in Wisconsin is moderate compared to moderate in Idaho
- The poverty level is moderate in Wisconsin compared to low in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and moderate in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Idaho | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Swing State |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance in Legislature | Mixed, with Democratic Majorities in Urban Areas |
Religion | Largely Christian, Significant LDS Presence | Primarily Christian, Diverse Religious Communities in Urban Areas |
- Idaho 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 primarily Christian
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Wisconsin
Comparison | Idaho | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | White Pine Elementary Ammon; Longfellow Elementary Boise; Roosevelt Elementary Boise | Swallow School Hartland; Lake Country School Hartland; Shorewood Hills Elementary Madison |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Star Charter Eagle; Galileo STEM Academy Eagle; Heritage Middle School Meridian | Kromrey Middle School Middleton; Glacier Creek Middle School Cross Plains; Pilgrim Park Middle School Elm Grove |
Top 3 High Schools | Boise High School Boise; Renaissance High School Meridian; Timberline High School Boise | Whitefish Bay High Whitefish Bay; Middleton High Middleton; Brookfield East High Brookfield |
Top 3 private high schools | The Ambrose School Meridian; Bishop Kelly High School Boise; Coeur d'Alene Christian School Coeur d'Alene | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee; Marquette University High School Milwaukee; Brookfield Academy Brookfield |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Ambrose School Meridian; North Idaho Christian School Hayden; Classical Christian Academy Post Falls | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee; Brookfield Academy Brookfield; St. John's Northwestern Academies Delafield |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise School District West Ada School District Coeur d'Alene School District | Elmbrook School District Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Mequon-Thiensville School District |
How Much Do Idaho to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 1,605 miles from Idaho to Wisconsin will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- 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 | $2,112 | 300 ft3 | $7.04 |
1 Bedroom | $3,146 | 450 ft3 | $6.99 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,206 | 750 ft3 | $6.94 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,580 | 1100 ft3 | $6.89 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,946 | 1600 ft3 | $6.84 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,224 | 1800 ft3 | $6.79 |
Top Idaho to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.