Montana to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 1,180 mile interstate move from Montana to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Montana vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Bison steak vs Cheese curds), real estate & housing (rustic, mountain vs colonial, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Bison steak and Elk burgers, but get your taste buds ready for Cheese curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Montana
- Rent in Wisconsin is 11.28% more affordable than in Montana
- Moving from Montana to Wisconsin will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Montana to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers
Montana vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Montana | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Bison steak | Cheese curds |
Most popular meat dish | Elk burgers | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Huckleberry pies | Beer-battered fish fry |
Most popular vegan food | Lentil chili | 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 Montana to Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic bison steak of Montana for the equally delicious cheese curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Montana rave about their flavorful elk burgers and sumptuous huckleberry pies, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty bratwurst and beer-battered fish fry to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the lentil chili 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 Montana eateries like The Montana Club, Buck's T-4 Lodge, and The Burger Dive. 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, Mader's, and Culver's.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Montana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Wisconsin compared to what you are used to in Montana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Montana and Wisconsin
Comparison | Montana | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Rustic, Mountain | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Big Sky Views, Wildlife | Lake Access, Community |
- The Rustic and Mountain architecture that Montana is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Montana's real estate listings that commonly reference big sky views and wildlife, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and community.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Wisconsin is more walkable than Montana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than Montana.
- Wisconsin has more of an urban feel than Montana.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Montana, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Montanaβs $456,199.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 71% increase in Montana.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 11.28% more affordable than in Montana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Montana and Wisconsin
Comparison | Montana | 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, Floods | Snowstorms, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 45Β°F | 82Β°F / 60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 30Β°F / 10Β°F | 28Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15" | 32" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 86" | 48" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Montana to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 1% fewer sunshine days than Montana.
- Wisconsin has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Montana.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Montana, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Wisconsin.
- The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is the same as Montana.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees warmer than they are in Montana.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 17 more inches of rain compared to Montana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Montana and Wisconsin
Comparison | Montana | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,631 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.4 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 6.9% | 7.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.85% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 5% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Tourism, Mining | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Affluent |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Minimal | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 5% more than in Montana
- The COLI in Wisconsin will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in Montana
- The state income tax in WI is 7.65% compared to 6.9% in MT
- The affluence in Wisconsin is affluent compared to moderate in Montana
- The poverty level is moderate in Wisconsin compared to low in Montana
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Montana and noticeable in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Montana vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Montana | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Swing State |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural areas | Mixed political views with a progressive lean in urban areas |
Religion | Christianity dominant, with a notable presence of non-religious individuals | Primarily Christian, diverse religious presence in urban centers |
- Montana 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 primarily Christian with a diverse religious presence in urban centers
- Montana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a notable presence of non-religious individuals
Education Guide When Moving from Montana to Wisconsin
Comparison | Montana | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Montana Montana State University Montana Tech | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Hawthorne Elementary (Bozeman) Morning Star Elementary (Bozeman) Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula) | Shorewood Hills Elementary (Madison) Bayside Middle School (Bayside) Cumberland Elementary (Whitefish Bay) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman) C.S. Porter Middle School (Missoula) Chief Joseph Middle School (Bozeman) | Whitefish Bay Middle School (Whitefish Bay) Longfellow Middle School (Wauwatosa) Kromrey Middle School (Middleton) |
Top 3 High Schools | Bozeman High School (Bozeman) Hellgate High School (Missoula) Sentinel High School (Missoula) | Brookfield East High School (Brookfield) Whitefish Bay High School (Whitefish Bay) Madison West High School (Madison) |
Top 3 private high schools | Carroll College Preparatory (Helena) Mount Ellis Academy (Bozeman) Great Falls Central Catholic High School (Great Falls) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High School (Milwaukee) Milwaukee Lutheran High School (Milwaukee) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Petra Academy (Bozeman) Stillwater Christian School (Kalispell) Missoula International School (Missoula) | University Lake School (Hartland) The Prairie School (Racine) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) |
Top 3 School Districts | Bozeman Public Schools Missoula County Public Schools Billings Public Schools | Madison Metropolitan School District Elmbrook School District Whitefish Bay School District |
How Much Do Montana to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 1,180 miles from Montana to Wisconsin will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
- 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 | $1,871 | 300 ft3 | $6.24 |
1 Bedroom | $2,785 | 450 ft3 | $6.19 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,604 | 750 ft3 | $6.14 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,697 | 1100 ft3 | $6.09 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,661 | 1600 ft3 | $6.04 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,779 | 1800 ft3 | $5.99 |
Top Montana to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Montana to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.