Minnesota to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 425 mile interstate move from Minnesota to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Hotdish vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (prairie school, modern vs craftsman, farmhouse), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Hotdish and Walleye, but get your taste buds ready for Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 11% less expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in Wisconsin is 24.97% more affordable than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to Wisconsin will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Minnesota to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers
Minnesota to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Wisconsin
- Harsh winters
- Higher cost of living
- Limited job market
- Traffic congestion
- High state taxes
- Milder winters
- More affordable housing
- Growing job opportunities
- Less traffic
- Lower state taxes
- Lack of top-ranked schools
- Fewer urban amenities
- Less cultural diversity
- Fewer water bodies
- Limited restaurant variety
- Great education system
- Vibrant Twin Cities
- Rich cultural scenes
- Gratifying lake activities
- Diverse dining options
Pros of moving from Minnesota to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from a higher cost of living and moving to Wisconsin with more affordable housing
- Swap the limited job market of Minnesota for growing job opportunities in Wisconsin
- Get ready for less traffic in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from Minnesota to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a great education system in Minnesota to live with a lack of top-ranked schools in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of a vibrant Twin Cities and have to settle with the con of fewer urban amenities
- Time to bid farewell to rich cultural scenes and get used to less cultural diversity in Wisconsin
- Swap gratifying lake activities for fewer water bodies
Minnesota vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Mini Donuts | Fried Cheese Curds |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Soup | Beer-Battered 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 Minnesota to Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Mini Donuts, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Fried Cheese Curds to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Beer-Battered Mushrooms of Wisconsin. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Minnesota eateries like Spoon and Stable, The Bachelor Farmer, and Matt's Bar. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like Mader's, SafeHouse, and Alchemy.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Wisconsin compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and Wisconsin
Comparison | Minnesota | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie School, Modern | Craftsman, Farmhouse |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeside properties, Open floor plans | Hardwood floors, Large yards |
- The Prairie School and Modern architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Farmhouse architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeside properties and open floor plans, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like hardwood floors and large yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Wisconsin is less walkable than Minnesota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- Wisconsin has less of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 11% less expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 24.97% more affordable than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and Wisconsin
Comparison | Minnesota | 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 | Blizzards, Tornadoes | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83/63 | 82/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 23/-3 | 27/9 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32 | 34 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 54 | 48 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Minnesota to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 5% fewer sunshine days than Minnesota.
- Wisconsin has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Wisconsin.
- The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 1 degree colder than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows are 12 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and Wisconsin
Comparison | Minnesota | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 7% | 6.27% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.12% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.125% | 5.6% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Health Services | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Average |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 14% less than in Minnesota
- The COLI in Wisconsin is 3% lower than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in WI is 6.27% compared to 7% in MN
- The affluence in Wisconsin is average compared to moderate in Minnesota
- The poverty level is moderate in Wisconsin compared to low in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Minnesota and moderate in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Minnesota | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Slightly leans Democratic | Swing state, historically unpredictable |
Local Politics | Progressive in urban areas, conservative in rural | Mixed; varies significantly from area to area |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Christianity predominant, with a notable presence of other faiths |
- Minnesota tends to lean slightly Democratic in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, historically unpredictable
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity, with a notable presence of other faiths
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to Wisconsin
Comparison | Minnesota | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota St. Olaf College Carleton College | University of Wisconsin-Madison Marquette University University of Wisconsin-La Crosse |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Scenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka) Greenwood Elementary (Plymouth) Deephaven Elementary (Deephaven) | Swallow School (Hartland) Richmond School (Sussex) Lake Country School (Hartland) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Wayzata Central Middle School (Plymouth) Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) South View Middle School (Edina) | Kromrey Middle School (Middleton) Glacier Creek Middle School (Cross Plains) Lake Shore Middle School (Mequon) |
Top 3 High Schools | Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) Edina High School (Edina) Wayzata High School (Plymouth) | Brookfield East High School (Brookfield) Middleton High School (Middleton) Cedarburg High School (Cedarburg) |
Top 3 private high schools | Breck School (Minneapolis) The Blake School (Minneapolis) Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High School (Milwaukee) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Blake School (Minneapolis) Breck School (Minneapolis) Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) Prairie School (Racine) |
Top 3 School Districts | Minnetonka Public School District Eden Prairie Schools Edina Public Schools | Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Elmbrook School District Mequon-Thiensville School District |
How Much Do Minnesota to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 425 miles from Minnesota 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: 2-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,443 | 300 ft3 | $4.81 |
1 Bedroom | $2,143 | 450 ft3 | $4.76 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,534 | 750 ft3 | $4.71 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,128 | 1100 ft3 | $4.66 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,378 | 1600 ft3 | $4.61 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,211 | 1800 ft3 | $4.56 |
Top Minnesota to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.