Kentucky to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 562 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs craftsman, bungalow), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Hot Brown, but get your taste buds ready for Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 46% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Wisconsin is 4.50% more affordable than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Wisconsin will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers
Kentucky vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Hot Brown | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Burgoo | Fried Cheese Curds |
Most popular vegan food | Kentucky Tofu Scramble | Beer Cheese Soup (Vegan Version) |
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 Kentucky to Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Hot Brown and sumptuous Burgoo, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Fried Cheese Curds to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kentucky Tofu Scramble they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Beer Cheese Soup (Vegan Version) of Wisconsin. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like KFC, Mammy's Kitchen, and Proof on Main. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like Culver's, Mader's, and Frankie's Diner.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Wisconsin, compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Wisconsin
Comparison | Kentucky | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Craftsman, Bungalow |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, garages | Energy efficiency, proximity to lakes |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Bungalow architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and garages, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and proximity to lakes.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Wisconsin is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Wisconsin has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 46% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 4.50% more affordable than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Wisconsin
Comparison | Kentucky | 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 | Floods, Tornadoes | Snowstorms, Cold waves |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 82Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 44Β°F / 28Β°F | 28Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49" | 32" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 12" | 48" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kentucky to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 4% fewer sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Wisconsin has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible floods and tornadoes in Kentucky, 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 5 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows in Wisconsin are 15 degrees colder than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 17 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Wisconsin
Comparison | Kentucky | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 7.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.86% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 5% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Information Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Above Average | Lower |
Homelessness | Moderate | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 20% more than those in Kentucky
- The COLI in Wisconsin will be 9% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in WI is 7.65% compared to 5% in KY
- The affluence in Wisconsin is higher compared to moderate affluence in Kentucky
- The poverty level is lower in Wisconsin compared to above average in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Kentucky and moderate in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Kentucky | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean conservative | Swing state |
Local Politics | Republican dominance in many areas | Mix of Republican and Democratic leadership |
Religion | Evangelical Protestant majority | Mixed, with a significant Catholic presence |
- Kentucky 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 mixed, with a significant Catholic presence
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as an evangelical Protestant majority
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Wisconsin
Comparison | Kentucky | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pikeville Elementary School Pikeville Stopher Elementary School Louisville Brandenburg Primary School Brandenburg | Randall Consolidated School Burlington Swallow School Hartland Elm Lawn Elementary Middleton |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barret Traditional Middle School Louisville Beaumont Middle School Lexington Highland Middle School Louisville | Whitefish Bay Middle Whitefish Bay Lake Shore Middle School Mequon Longfellow Middle School Wauwatosa |
Top 3 High Schools | DuPont Manual High School Louisville Glasgow High School Glasgow Bowling Green High School Bowling Green | Brookfield East High School Brookfield Whitefish Bay High School Whitefish Bay Eau Claire Memorial High School Eau Claire |
Top 3 Private High Schools | Sacred Heart Academy Louisville St. Xavier High School Louisville Louisville Collegiate School Louisville | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee Marquette University High School Milwaukee Brookfield Academy Brookfield |
Top 3 Private K-12 Schools | Louisville Collegiate School Louisville The Lexington School Lexington Sayre School Lexington | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee Brookfield Academy Brookfield Madison Country Day School Waunakee |
Top 3 School Districts | Fayette County Public Schools Jefferson County Public Schools Hardin County Schools | Elmbrook Schools Whitefish Bay School District Shorewood School District |
How Much Do Kentucky to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 562 miles from Kentucky to Wisconsin will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,521 | 300 ft3 | $5.07 |
1 Bedroom | $2,259 | 450 ft3 | $5.02 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,728 | 750 ft3 | $4.97 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,412 | 1100 ft3 | $4.92 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,793 | 1600 ft3 | $4.87 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,677 | 1800 ft3 | $4.82 |
Top Kentucky to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.