Tennessee to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 700 mile interstate move from Tennessee to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high summer humidity vs cooler summer temperatures), food & health (like Barbecue Ribs vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Barbecue Ribs and Hot Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 7% less expensive than they are in Tennessee
- Rent in Wisconsin is 25.63% more affordable than in Tennessee
- Moving from Tennessee to Wisconsin will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Tennessee to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers
Tennessee to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Tennessee to Wisconsin
- High summer humidity
- Higher incidence of tornadoes
- Limited winter activities
- Higher sales tax
- Cooler summer temperatures
- Fewer tornadoes
- Abundant winter sports
- Lower sales tax
- Harsh winters
- Less musical diversity
- Different culinary scene
- Colder community interactions
- Mild winters
- Rich musical heritage
- Southern cuisine
- Friendly communities
Pros of moving from Tennessee to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to high summer humidity and hello to cooler summer temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from a higher incidence of tornadoes and moving to Wisconsin with fewer tornadoes
- Swap the limited winter activities of Tennessee for abundant winter sports in Wisconsin
- Get ready for a lower sales tax in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from Tennessee to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in Tennessee to live with harsh winters in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of a rich musical heritage and have to settle with the con of less musical diversity
- Time to bid farewell to southern cuisine and get used to a different culinary scene in Wisconsin
- Swap friendly communities for colder community interactions
Tennessee vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Tennessee | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Barbecue Ribs | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Hot Chicken | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | BBQ Nachos | Bratwurst in a bun |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | 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 Tennessee to Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Barbecue Ribs of Tennessee for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful Hot Chicken and sumptuous BBQ Nachos, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Bratwurst in a bun to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit 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 Tennessee eateries like Prince's Hot Chicken Shack, Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous, and Hattie B's. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like Mader's, The Old Fashioned, and CafΓ© Caribe.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Tennessee. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Wisconsin compared to what you are used to in Tennessee. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and Wisconsin
Comparison | Tennessee | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, scenic views | Lakeside properties, energy efficiency |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and scenic views, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside properties and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Wisconsin is more walkable than Tennessee.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than Tennessee.
- Wisconsin has more of an urban feel than Tennessee.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 7% less expensive than they are in Tennessee, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Tennesseeβs $317,482.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 25.63% more affordable than in Tennessee.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Tennessee and Wisconsin
Comparison | Tennessee | 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 | Tornadoes, floods | Blizzards, cold waves |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/67 | 82/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49/30 | 29/13 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 54 | 32 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 48 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Tennessee to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 9% fewer sunshine days than Tennessee.
- Wisconsin has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Tennessee.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Tennessee, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and cold waves in Wisconsin.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 7 degrees colder than Tennessee.
- The average winter lows are 17 degrees colder than they are in Tennessee.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 22 fewer inches of rain compared to Tennessee.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and Wisconsin
Comparison | Tennessee | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,254 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 88.9 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 3.54%-7.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.71% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.55% | 5.43% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Energy | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Noticeable | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 9% more than those in Tennessee
- The COLI in Wisconsin is 8% higher than what you are used to living in Tennessee
- Bummer... By moving from Tennessee to Wisconsin, you'll now have a state income tax of 3.54% to 7.65%
- The affluence in Wisconsin is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Tennessee
- The poverty level is moderate in Wisconsin compared to noticeable poverty in Tennessee
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Tennessee and low in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Tennessee | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Conservative | Swing State, Leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance in State Government | Political Mix with Democratic Major Cities |
Religion | Highly Religious, Predominantly Christian | Moderately Religious, Diverse Religious Communities |
- Tennessee tends to lean traditionally Conservative in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state that leans Democratic
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as moderately religious with diverse religious communities
- Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to Wisconsin
Comparison | Tennessee | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Tennessee Vanderbilt University Tennessee State University | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Lockeland Elementary Design Center (Nashville) Percy Priest Elementary (Nashville) Jefferson Elementary School (Jefferson City) | Randall Consolidated School (Burlington) Elm Lawn Elementary (Middleton) Swallow School (Hartland) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Brentwood Middle School (Brentwood) West End Middle School (Nashville) Page Middle School (Franklin) | Longfellow Middle School (Wauwatosa) Whitefish Bay Middle School (Whitefish Bay) Lake Shore Middle School (Mequon) |
Top 3 High Schools | Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School (Nashville) Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro) Brentwood High School (Brentwood) | Brookfield East High School (Brookfield) Middleton High School (Middleton) Eau Claire Memorial High School (Eau Claire) |
Top 3 private high schools | Baylor School (Chattanooga) The McCallie School (Chattanooga) Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High School (Milwaukee) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Harding Academy (Nashville) The Webb School (Bell Buckle) University School of Nashville (Nashville) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) The Prairie School (Racine) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) |
Top 3 School Districts | Williamson County Schools Franklin Special School District Maryville City Schools | Elmbrook School District Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Whitefish Bay School District |
How Much Do Tennessee to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 700 miles from Tennessee 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: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,599 | 300 ft3 | $5.33 |
1 Bedroom | $2,376 | 450 ft3 | $5.28 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,923 | 750 ft3 | $5.23 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,699 | 1100 ft3 | $5.18 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,210 | 1600 ft3 | $5.13 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,146 | 1800 ft3 | $5.08 |
Top Tennessee to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Tennessee to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.