Wisconsin to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 867 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Cheese curds vs Half-smoke), real estate & housing (craftsman vs federal and victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Half-smoke & Mumbo sauce with chicken wings
- DC housing costs are 110% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in DC is 91.92% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to DC will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to DC movers is Bookstore Movers
Wisconsin to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to DC
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Rural lifestyle
- Less diverse culture
- Mild winters
- Robust job market
- Urban amenities
- Cultural diversity
- High cost of living
- Busy lifestyle
- Limited open spaces
- Fast-paced environment
- Lower cost of living
- Peaceful surroundings
- Wide open spaces
- Friendly small towns
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to DC
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to DC with a robust job market
- Swap the rural lifestyle of Wisconsin for urban amenities in DC
- Get ready for cultural diversity in DC
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Wisconsin to live with the high cost of living in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of peaceful surroundings and have to settle for the con of a busy lifestyle
- Time to bid farewell to wide open spaces and get used to limited open spaces in DC
- Swap friendly small towns for a fast-paced environment
Wisconsin vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese curds | Half-smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Mumbo sauce with chicken wings |
Most popular street food item | Fried cheese curds | Food truck tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Deep-fried cauliflower | Vegan chili |
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 DC, you will be trading the iconic cheese curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious half-smoke of DC. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful bratwurst and sumptuous fried cheese curds, DC residents know they have tasty mumbo sauce with chicken wings and food truck tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the deep-fried cauliflower they've grown to love, they can get ready for the vegan chili of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Wisconsin eateries like L'Etoile, Mader's, and Culver's. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Rose's Luxury, and Zaytinya.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and DC
Comparison | Wisconsin | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman | Federal and Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to nature | Accessibility to public transportation, rooftop decks |
- The Craftsman architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Federal and Victorian architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to nature, DC real estate listings often highlight features like accessibility to public transportation and rooftop decks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than Wisconsin.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- DC has more of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- DC housing costs are 110% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased by 8% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in DC is 91.92% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and DC
Comparison | Wisconsin | DC |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 88Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 13Β°F | 47Β°F / 29Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32 | 40 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 15 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to DC. DC gets 8% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- DC 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 hurricanes and flooding in DC.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 6 degrees warmer than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 16 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in DC. DC receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and DC
Comparison | Wisconsin | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 7.65% | 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 0.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.46% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Health Care, Agriculture | Government, Tourism, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Relatively Low |
Homelessness | Low | Higher |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 42% more than those in Wisconsin
- The COLI in DC is 46% higher than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in DC is 10.75% compared to 7.65% in WI
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate affluence in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is relatively low in DC compared to moderate poverty in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wisconsin and higher in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. DC
Comparison | Wisconsin | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Battleground state with a mix of Democratic and Republican support | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Varies by location, with progressive strongholds in cities like Madison | Heavily focused on national politics, local governance progressive |
Religion | Diverse, with a significant Catholic presence | Religiously diverse but less emphasized in daily life |
- Wisconsin tends to lean a battleground state with a mix of Democratic and Republican support in its political climate
- D.C., on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- D.C.'s religious environment can be described as religiously diverse but less emphasized in daily life
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a significant Catholic presence
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to DC
Comparison | Wisconsin | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison Marquette University UW-La Crosse | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Swan School (Madison) Bayside Middle School (Bayside) Lake Shore Middle School (Mequon) | Janney Elementary School (Washington) Mann Elementary School (Washington) Lafayette Elementary School (Washington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Whitefish Bay Middle (Whitefish Bay) Lake Shore Middle School (Mequon) Pilgrim Park Middle School (Elm Grove) | Deal Middle School (Washington) Hardy Middle School (Washington) Alice Deal Junior High School (Washington) |
Top 3 High Schools | Eau Claire Memorial High (Eau Claire) Brookfield Central (Brookfield) Middleton High (Middleton) | School Without Walls High School (Washington) Benjamin Banneker Academic High School (Washington) Duke Ellington School of the Arts (Washington) |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High School (Milwaukee) The Prairie School (Racine) | Georgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda) Sidwell Friends School (Washington) National Cathedral School (Washington) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) The Prairie School (Racine) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) | Sidwell Friends School (Washington) Georgetown Day School (Washington) Maret School (Washington) |
Top 3 School Districts | Mequon-Thiensville School District Elmbrook School District Whitefish Bay School District | District of Columbia Public Schools |
How Much Do Wisconsin to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 867 miles from Wisconsin to DC will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- 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 | $1,694 | 300 ft3 | $5.65 |
1 Bedroom | $2,519 | 450 ft3 | $5.60 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,160 | 750 ft3 | $5.55 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,046 | 1100 ft3 | $5.50 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,715 | 1600 ft3 | $5.45 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,714 | 1800 ft3 | $5.40 |
Top Wisconsin to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.