Wisconsin to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 1,605 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Potatoes), real estate & housing (prairie and craftsman vs ranch and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Potatoes & Rocky Mountain Oysters
- Idaho housing costs are 53% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in Idaho is 29.20% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to Idaho will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to Idaho movers is Elite Movers
Wisconsin to Idaho Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Idaho
- Harsh winters
- Higher cost of living
- Dense population
- Limited outdoor activities
- Flat landscapes
- Milder winters
- Lower cost of living
- More open spaces
- Abundant outdoor adventures
- Scenic mountains
- Fewer historic landmarks
- Fewer craft beer options
- More limited entertainment options
- Less variety in dairy
- Smaller job market
- Rich cultural history
- Great local breweries
- Lively music scene
- Renowned cheese
- Dense job market
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Idaho
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from a higher cost of living and moving to Idaho with a lower cost of living
- Swap the dense population of Wisconsin for more open spaces in Idaho
- Get ready for abundant outdoor adventures in Idaho
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Idaho
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a rich cultural history in Wisconsin to live with fewer historic landmarks in Idaho
- You'll lose out on the pro of great local breweries and have to settle for the con of fewer craft beer options
- Time to bid farewell to a lively music scene and get used to more limited entertainment options in Idaho
- Swap renowned cheese for less variety in dairy
Wisconsin vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Rocky Mountain Oysters |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Idaho-Style Fries |
Most popular vegan food | Beer-Battered Mushrooms | Vegan Huckleberry Pie |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, Idaho residents know they have tasty Rocky Mountain Oysters and Idaho-Style Fries to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Beer-Battered Mushrooms they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Huckleberry Pie of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Wisconsin eateries like L'Etoile, Smyth, and Mader's. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Boise Fry Company, State & Lemp, and Barbacoa Grill.
When comparing lifestyles, Idaho shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Idaho compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Idaho.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Idaho
Comparison | Wisconsin | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie and Craftsman | Ranch and Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, spacious backyards | Mountain views, open floor plans |
- The Prairie and Craftsman architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Idaho.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and spacious backyards, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and open floor plans.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Idaho is less walkable than Wisconsin.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Idaho is less bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- Idaho has less of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- Idaho housing costs are 53% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased by 69% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in Idaho is 29.20% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Idaho
Comparison | Wisconsin | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F/63Β°F | 85Β°F/53Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F/13Β°F | 37Β°F/17Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32 | 18 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 60 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to Idaho. Idaho gets 9% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- Idaho 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 wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
- The average summer high temperature in Idaho is 3 degrees warmer than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 4 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 14 fewer inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Idaho
Comparison | Wisconsin | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 3.54 to 7.65% | 1.125 to 6.925% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 0.69% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.44% | 6.03% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Agriculture, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Growing |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 3% more than in Wisconsin
- The COLI in Idaho is 4% lower than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in ID is 1.125 to 6.925% compared to 3.54 to 7.65% in WI
- The affluence in Idaho is growing compared to moderate affluence in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is low in Idaho compared to moderate poverty in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wisconsin and low in Idaho
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Idaho
Comparison | Wisconsin | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; swing state | Conservative |
Local Politics | Varies by locality | Mostly Republican dominance |
Religion | Christian majority with diverse religious communities | Christian majority, significant LDS presence |
- Wisconsin tends to lean mixed and is a swing state in its political climate
- Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- Idaho's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with a significant LDS presence
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Idaho
Comparison | Wisconsin | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Randall Consolidated School Bristol; Swallow School Hartland; Lakeview Elementary School Neenah | White Pine Elementary Boise; Anser Charter School Garden City; Cecil D Andrus Elementary Eagle |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Longfellow Middle School Wauwatosa; Lake Shore Middle School Mequon; Pilgrim Park Middle School Elm Grove | North Star Charter School Eagle; Heritage Middle School Meridian; Lake Hazel Middle School Boise |
Top 3 High School Schools | Madison West High School Madison; Brookfield East High School Brookfield; Eau Claire Memorial High School Eau Claire | Boise High School Boise; Renaissance High School Meridian; Timberline High School Boise |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee; Marquette University High School Milwaukee; Brookfield Academy Brookfield | Bishop Kelly High School Boise; The Ambrose School Meridian; Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy Coeur d'Alene |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University Lake School Hartland; Prairie School Racine; St. John's Northwestern Military Academy Delafield | Riverstone International School Boise; The Ambrose School Meridian; North Idaho Christian School Hayden |
Top 3 School Districts | Elmbrook School District Brookfield; Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Middleton; Waunakee Community School District Waunakee | Boise School District Boise; Blaine County School District Hailey; Coeur d'Alene School District Coeur d'Alene |
How Much Do Wisconsin to Idaho Movers Cost?
Moving 1,605 miles from Wisconsin to Idaho 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: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,112 | 300 ft3 | $7.04 |
1 Bedroom | $3,146 | 450 ft3 | $6.99 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,206 | 750 ft3 | $6.94 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,580 | 1100 ft3 | $6.89 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,946 | 1600 ft3 | $6.84 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,224 | 1800 ft3 | $6.79 |
Top Wisconsin to Idaho Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Idaho movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.