Ohio to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated August 20, 2025
Planning a 485 mile interstate move from Ohio to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Ohio vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humid summers vs cooler climate), food & health (like Buckeye candies vs Cheese curds), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch 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 Buckeye candies and Cincinnati chili, but get your taste buds ready for Cheese curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 32% more expensive than they are in Ohio
- Rent in Wisconsin is 13.63% more affordable than in Ohio
- Moving from Ohio to Wisconsin will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Ohio to Wisconsin movers is Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC

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

Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Best moving company overall for Ohio to Wisconsin

Elite Movers

Blue Men Moving LLC
Ohio to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Ohio to Wisconsin
- Humid summers
- Higher taxes
- Limited outdoor activities
- Crowded metropolitan areas
- Flat terrain
- Cooler climate
- Lower taxes
- Abundant natural parks
- Less crowded cities
- Scenic landscapes
- Less cultural diversity
- Limited arts offerings
- Fewer sports teams
- Smaller job market
- Farther from coast
- Diverse culture
- Lively arts scene
- Major league sports
- Thriving economy
- Proximity to East Coast
Pros of moving from Ohio to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to humid summers and hello to a cooler climate
- Look forward to moving away from higher taxes and moving to Wisconsin with lower taxes
- Swap the limited outdoor activities of Ohio for abundant natural parks in Wisconsin
- Get ready for less crowded cities in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from Ohio to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a diverse culture in Ohio to live with less cultural diversity in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of a lively arts scene and have to settle for the con of limited arts offerings
- Time to bid farewell to major league sports and get used to fewer sports teams in Wisconsin
- Swap a thriving economy for a smaller job market
Ohio vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Ohio | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Buckeye candies | Cheese curds |
Most popular meat dish | Cincinnati chili | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Polish Boy | Fried cheese curds |
Most popular vegan food | Black bean burger | Vegan cheese platter |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Ohio to Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Buckeye candies of Ohio for the equally delicious cheese curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Ohio rave about their flavorful Cincinnati chili and sumptuous Polish Boy, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty bratwurst and fried cheese curds to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the black bean burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the vegan cheese platter of Wisconsin. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Ohio eateries like Schmidtβs Sausage Haus, Skyline Chili, and Melt Bar and Grilled. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like Carr Valley Cheese, The Modern Tea Room, and The Fish Guys.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Ohio. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Wisconsin compared to what you are used to in Ohio. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Ohio and Wisconsin
Comparison | Ohio | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Craftsman, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, finished basements | Lake access, energy-efficient features |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Ohio is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Cape Cod architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Ohio's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and finished basements, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and energy-efficient features.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Wisconsin is more walkable than Ohio.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than Ohio.
- Wisconsin has more of an urban feel than Ohio.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 32% more expensive than they are in Ohio, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Ohioβs $223,135.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 49% increase in Ohio.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 13.63% more affordable than in Ohio.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Ohio and Wisconsin
Comparison | Ohio | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | 173 days | 190 days |
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 | Severe thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, flooding, winter storms; lake-effect snow (NE) | Winter storms/blizzards, severe thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes (south), flooding; lake-effect snow (NW) |
Air Quality | Generally Good-Moderate; occasional ozone/PM2.5 spikes in urban/industrial corridors | Generally Good; occasional ozone along Lake Michigan and winter PM2.5 episodes |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83degF / 64degF | 80degF / 59degF |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 36degF / 20degF | 24degF / 7degF |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 40 in | 34 in |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 28 in (higher in NE snowbelt) | 50 in (higher in north/Lake Superior snowbelt) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Ohio to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 10% more sunshine days than Ohio.
- Wisconsin has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Ohio.
- Say goodbye to the possible severe thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, flooding, and winter storms in Ohio, but be on the lookout for potential winter storms, blizzards, severe thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes in the south, and flooding, as well as lake-effect snow in Wisconsin.
- The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 3 degrees cooler than in Ohio.
- The average winter lows are 13 degrees colder than they are in Ohio.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to Ohio.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Ohio and Wisconsin
Comparison | Ohio | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,720 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.85 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 2.765% - 4.797% | 3.54% - 7.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.56% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.23% | 5.44% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Finance, Agriculture | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Above Average |
Poverty | Significant | Moderate |
Homelessness | Manageable | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 8% more than in Ohio
- The COLI in Wisconsin is 3% higher than what you are used to living in Ohio
- The state income tax in WI is 3.54% - 7.65% compared to 2.765% - 4.797% in OH
- The affluence in Wisconsin is above average compared to moderate in Ohio
- The poverty level is moderate in Wisconsin compared to significant in Ohio
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Ohio and low in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Ohio vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Ohio | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing State | Swing State |
Local Politics | Mix of urban liberal & rural conservative | Mix of urban liberal & rural conservative |
Religion | Christian dominates, variety of other faiths present | Christian dominates, variety of other faiths present |
- Ohio tends to lean swing state in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as Christian dominant with a variety of other faiths present
- Ohio's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian dominant with a variety of other faiths present
How Much Do Ohio to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 485 miles from Ohio to Wisconsin will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,477 | 300 ft3 | $4.92 |
1 Bedroom | $2,194 | 450 ft3 | $4.87 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,619 | 750 ft3 | $4.82 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,252 | 1100 ft3 | $4.77 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,560 | 1600 ft3 | $4.72 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,415 | 1800 ft3 | $4.67 |