Indiana to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated June 23, 2025
Planning a 350 mile interstate move from Indiana to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs diverse opportunities), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (ranch, craftsman 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 Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Beef and Noodles, but get your taste buds ready for Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 24% more expensive than they are in Indiana
- Rent in Wisconsin is 7.35% more affordable than in Indiana
- Moving from Indiana to Wisconsin will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Indiana to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers

Top Indiana to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Indiana to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Elite Movers
Best moving company overall for Indiana to Wisconsin

MACS Moving and Storage

MVM Moving & Storage
Indiana to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to Wisconsin
- Limited job market
- Flat landscapes
- Severe winter weather
- Fewer cultural venues
- Diverse opportunities
- Scenic lakes and hills
- Four-season outdoor activities
- Rich arts scene
- Higher property taxes
- More urban sprawl
- Longer commutes
- Limited public transit
- Lower cost of living
- Friendly communities
- Centrally located
- Quieter lifestyle
Pros of moving from Indiana to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to diverse opportunities
- Look forward to moving away from flat landscapes and moving to Wisconsin with scenic lakes and hills
- Swap the severe winter weather of Indiana for four-season outdoor activities in Wisconsin
- Get ready for a rich arts scene in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from Indiana to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Indiana to live with higher property taxes in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of friendly communities and have to settle for the con of more urban sprawl
- Time to bid farewell to a centrally located lifestyle and get used to longer commutes in Wisconsin
- Swap a quieter lifestyle for limited public transit
Indiana vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Indiana | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Beef and Noodles | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Hoosier Pie | Fried Cheese Curds |
Most popular vegan food | Elote Corn | 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 Indiana to Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Beef and Noodles and sumptuous Hoosier Pie, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Fried Cheese Curds to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Elote Corn 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 Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebeard, and Milktooth. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like Mader's, Lakefront Brewery, and Graze.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Indiana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Wisconsin, compared to what you are used to in Indiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and Wisconsin
Comparison | Indiana | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Craftsman | Craftsman, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Open concept, big yards | Lake access, energy efficiency |
- The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Cape Cod architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Indiana's real estate listings that commonly reference open concept and big yards, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Wisconsin is more walkable than Indiana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than Indiana.
- Wisconsin has more of an urban feel than Indiana.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 24% more expensive than they are in Indiana, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Indianaβs $236,990.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 54% increase in Indiana.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 7.35% more affordable than in Indiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Indiana and Wisconsin
Comparison | Indiana | 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, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/64 | 82/57 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35/18 | 28/13 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 32 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 48 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Indiana to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 1% more sunshine days than Indiana.
- Wisconsin has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Indiana.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Indiana, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Wisconsin.
- The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 3 degrees colder than in Indiana.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in Indiana.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to Indiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and Wisconsin
Comparison | Indiana | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,785 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.95 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 3.23% | 3.54% - 7.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.85% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 5% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Average | Average |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 6% more than in Indiana
- The COLI in Wisconsin will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in Indiana
- The state income tax in WI is 3.54% - 7.65% compared to 3.23% in IN
- The affluence in Wisconsin is moderate compared to moderate in Indiana
- The poverty level is average in Wisconsin compared to average in Indiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Indiana and low in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Indiana | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Swing State |
Local Politics | Conservative Suburbs | Liberal Cities, Conservative Rural Areas |
Religion | Christian Dominance, with Protestant Majority | Mixed Christian Beliefs, Strong Lutheran Presence |
- Indiana tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as mixed Christian beliefs and a strong Lutheran presence
- Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian dominance with a Protestant majority
Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to Wisconsin
Comparison | Indiana | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Indiana University (Bloomington) Purdue University (West Lafayette) Ball State University (Muncie) | University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison) Marquette University (Milwaukee) University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Milwaukee) |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Carmel Elementary School (Carmel) Prairie Trace Elementary School (Carmel) West Clay Elementary School (Carmel) | Black Hawk Elementary School (Burlington) Kohler Elementary School (Kohler) Magee Elementary School (Two Rivers) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Creekside Middle School (Carmel) Carmel Middle School (Carmel) Clay Middle School (Carmel) | Whitefish Bay Middle School (Whitefish Bay) Lake Shore Middle School (Mequon) Pilgrim Park Middle School (Elm Grove) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Carmel High School (Carmel) Zionsville Community High School (Zionsville) West Lafayette Junior/Senior High School (West Lafayette) | Whitefish Bay High School (Whitefish Bay) Brookfield East High School (Brookfield) Homestead High School (Mequon) |
Top 3 private high schools | Park Tudor School (Indianapolis) Culver Academies (Culver) The International School of Indiana (Indianapolis) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) The Prairie School (Wind Point) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | International School of Indiana (Indianapolis) The Orchard School (Indianapolis) Sycamore School (Indianapolis) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Madison Country Day School (Waunakee) The Prairie School (Wind Point) |
Top 3 School Districts | Carmel Clay Schools Zionsville Community Schools West Lafayette Community School Corporation | Whitefish Bay School District Mequon-Thiensville School District Elmbrook School District |
How Much Do Indiana to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 350 miles from Indiana to Wisconsin will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,401 | 300 ft3 | $4.67 |
1 Bedroom | $2,079 | 450 ft3 | $4.62 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,427 | 750 ft3 | $4.57 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,972 | 1100 ft3 | $4.52 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,151 | 1600 ft3 | $4.47 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,955 | 1800 ft3 | $4.42 |