Michigan to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 207 mile interstate move from Michigan to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Pasties vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs cape cod, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pasties and Detroit-style Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 23% more expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in Wisconsin is 13.80% more affordable than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to Wisconsin will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
- Our top recommended Michigan to Wisconsin movers is Pro-Low Moving
Michigan to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Wisconsin
- Harsh winters
- Heavier traffic
- High auto insurance
- Milder winters
- Less congestion
- Lower premium costs
- Fewer educational options
- Less cultural variety
- Limited water access
- Great schools
- Vibrant arts scene
- Beautiful coastline
Pros of moving from Michigan to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from heavier traffic and moving to Wisconsin with less congestion
- Swap the high auto insurance of Michigan for lower premium costs in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from Michigan to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from great schools in Michigan to live with fewer educational options in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of a vibrant arts scene and have to settle for the con of less cultural variety
- Time to bid farewell to a beautiful coastline and get used to limited water access in Wisconsin
Michigan vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pasties | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Detroit-style Pizza | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Coney Dog | Fried Cheese Curds |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Reuben | Beer-battered Cauliflower |
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 Michigan to Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Detroit-style Pizza and sumptuous Coney Dog, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Fried Cheese Curds to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh Reuben they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Beer-battered Cauliflower of Wisconsin. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Zingermanβs Delicatessen, Slows Bar BQ, and Bellβs Eccentric CafΓ©. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like AJ Bombers, The Farmstead, and Maderβs German Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Wisconsin compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Wisconsin
Comparison | Michigan | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Cape Cod, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake Access, Fenced Yards | Energy Efficiency, Proximity to Nature |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Cape Cod and Craftsman architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and fenced yards, Wisconsin's real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and proximity to nature.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Wisconsin is less walkable than Michigan.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than Michigan.
- Wisconsin has less of an urban feel than Michigan.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 23% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Over the previous 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 13.80% more affordable than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and Wisconsin
Comparison | Michigan | 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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes | Snowstorms, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 79/58 | 82/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31/18 | 28/13 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.76 | 34.63 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66 | 48.19 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 11% more sunshine days than Michigan.
- Wisconsin has similar humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Michigan.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Wisconsin.
- The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 3 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in Michigan.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 1.9 more inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Wisconsin
Comparison | Michigan | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | 7.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.58% | 1.73% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 5.44% |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Tech, Agriculture | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate-High |
Poverty | Average | Below Average |
Homelessness | Controlled | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 6% more than in Michigan
- The COLI in Wisconsin will be 5% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
- The state income tax in WI is 7.65% compared to 4.25% in MI
- The affluence in Wisconsin is moderate-high compared to moderate in Michigan
- The poverty level is below average in Wisconsin compared to average in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is controlled in Michigan and low in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Michigan | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Battleground state with swings in both directions | Battleground state, recently leaning more towards conservative victories |
Local Politics | Diverse, with strong Democratic presence in urban areas | Combination of conservative rural areas and progressive urban centers |
Religion | Christianity predominant; diverse religious communities in metropolitan areas | Christianity predominant; similar diversity in religious communities |
- Michigan tends to lean as a battleground state with swings in both directions in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a battleground state, recently leaning more towards conservative victories
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with similar diversity in religious communities
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities in metropolitan areas
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Wisconsin
Comparison | Michigan | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rochester Adams High School Ann Arbor; Bemis Elementary Troy; Haisley Elementary Ann Arbor | Randall Elementary Madison; Shorewood Hills Elementary Madison; Elm Lawn Elementary Middleton |
Top 3 Middle Schools | West Middle School Rochester; Boulan Park Middle School Troy; Clague Middle School Ann Arbor | Hamilton Middle Madison; Kromrey Middle Middleton; Glacier Creek Middle Cross Plains |
Top 3 High School Schools | International Academy Bloomfield Hills; City Middle/High School Grand Rapids; Northville High School Northville | Whitefish Bay High Whitefish Bay; Middleton High Middleton; Brookfield East High Brookfield |
Top 3 private high schools | Detroit Country Day School Beverly Hills; The Roeper School Birmingham; Cranbrook Schools Bloomfield Hills | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee; Brookfield Academy Brookfield; Marquette University High School Milwaukee |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Greenhills School Ann Arbor; Detroit Country Day School Beverly Hills; Roeper School Birmingham | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee; Brookfield Academy Brookfield; Prairie School Racine |
Top 3 School Districts | East Grand Rapids Public Schools Grand Rapids; Novi Community School District Novi; Troy School District Troy | Mequon-Thiensville School District Mequon; Elmbrook School District Brookfield; Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Middleton |
How Much Do Michigan to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 207 miles from Michigan to Wisconsin will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,320 | 300 ft3 | $4.40 |
1 Bedroom | $1,957 | 450 ft3 | $4.35 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,225 | 750 ft3 | $4.30 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,674 | 1100 ft3 | $4.25 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,719 | 1600 ft3 | $4.20 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,469 | 1800 ft3 | $4.15 |
Top Michigan to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.