Wisconsin to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 1,677 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Chimichanga), real estate & housing (prairie and cape cod vs pueblo revival and ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Chimichanga & Carne Asada
- Arizona housing costs are 46% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in Arizona is 53.06% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to Arizona will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Wisconsin to Arizona Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Arizona
- Harsh winters
- High humidity
- Lack of desert landscapes
- Limited sunshine
- Higher state income tax
- Mild winters
- Dry climate
- Beautiful desert vistas
- Abundant sunshine
- Lower state income tax
- Limited water sources
- Scarce green areas
- Need to build new community
- No ice sports
- Less local dairy
- Beautiful lakes
- Forest landscapes
- Familiar community
- Ice fishing culture
- Local dairy products
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Arizona
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to Arizona with a dry climate
- Swap the lack of desert landscapes of Wisconsin for beautiful desert vistas in Arizona
- Get ready for abundant sunshine in Arizona
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Arizona
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful lakes in Wisconsin to live with limited water sources in Arizona
- You'll lose out on the pro of forest landscapes and have to settle for the con of scarce green areas
- Time to bid farewell to a familiar community and get used to the need to build a new community in Arizona
- Swap the ice fishing culture for no ice sports
Wisconsin vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Chimichanga |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom-based dishes | Bean Burritos |
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 Wisconsin to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Chimichanga of Arizona. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom-based dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Bean Burritos of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Wisconsin eateries like The Lynam Arms, Maderβs, and Culver's. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro Cafe, and FnB.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Arizona
Comparison | Wisconsin | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie and Cape Cod | Pueblo Revival and Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeside Access, Large Yards | Swimming Pools, Outdoor Kitchens |
- The Prairie and Cape Cod architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo Revival and Ranch architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeside access and large yards, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like swimming pools and outdoor kitchens.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Arizona is more walkable than Wisconsin.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Arizona is more bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- Arizona has more of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- Arizona housing costs are 46% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in Arizona is 53.06% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Arizona
Comparison | Wisconsin | Arizona |
---|---|---|
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 | Heatwaves, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Good | Varies (Urban areas can be lower) |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 60Β°F | 104Β°F / 81Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 13Β°F | 67Β°F / 46Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32 | 13 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 0.3 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to Arizona. Arizona gets 60% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Wisconsin, but be on the lookout for potential heatwaves and wildfires in Arizona.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 22 degrees warmer than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows in Arizona are 33 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 19 fewer inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Arizona
Comparison | Wisconsin | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 3.54% to 7.65% | 2.59% to 4.50% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 0.62% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.43% | 8.37% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Tourism, Aerospace, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Average | Below Average |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 5% more than in Wisconsin
- The COLI in Arizona will be 6% higher than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in AZ is 2.59% to 4.50% compared to 3.54% to 7.65% in WI
- The affluence in Arizona is moderate compared to moderate in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is below average in Arizona compared to average in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wisconsin and moderate in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Arizona
Comparison | Wisconsin | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state, closely divided | Traditionally conservative, trending competitive |
Local Politics | Progressive strongholds in urban areas | Growing liberal influence in cities |
Religion | Primarily Christian, large Lutheran community | Mixed, with significant Catholic population |
- Wisconsin tends to lean as a swing state, closely divided in its political climate
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as traditionally conservative and trending competitive
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as mixed with a significant Catholic population
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian with a large Lutheran community
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Arizona
Comparison | Wisconsin | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison Marquette University University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Swan School (Madison) Pumpkin Hollow School (Milwaukee) Lake View School (Neenah) | Basis Scottsdale Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler) Archway Classical Academy (Phoenix) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Whitefish Bay Middle School (Whitefish Bay) Lakeshore Middle School (Mequon) Lake Country School (Hartland) | Basis Chandler Basis Peoria Basis Oro Valley |
Top 3 High Schools | Madison West High School (Madison) Brookfield East High School (Brookfield) Eau Claire Memorial High School (Eau Claire) | Basis Scottsdale Basis Tucson North Basis Peoria |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High School (Milwaukee) Madison Country Day School (Madison) | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) The Gregory School (Tucson) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Madison Country Day School (Madison) The Prairie School (Racine) | Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) The Gregory School (Tucson) Rancho Solano Preparatory School (Scottsdale) |
Top 3 School Districts | Mequon-Thiensville School District Elmbrook School District Whitefish Bay School District | Scottsdale Unified District Catalina Foothills Unified District Chandler Unified School District |
How Much Do Wisconsin to Arizona Movers Cost?
Moving 1,677 miles from Wisconsin to Arizona will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,153 | 300 ft3 | $7.18 |
1 Bedroom | $3,207 | 450 ft3 | $7.13 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,308 | 750 ft3 | $7.08 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,730 | 1100 ft3 | $7.03 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,164 | 1600 ft3 | $6.98 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,469 | 1800 ft3 | $6.93 |
Top Wisconsin to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Wisconsin to Arizona