Wisconsin to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 1,034 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (prairie, cape cod vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Lobster Roll
- Massachusetts housing costs are 108% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in Massachusetts is 103.06% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to Massachusetts will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Wisconsin to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Massachusetts
- Harsh Winters
- Limited Coastline
- Fewer Historical Sites
- Lack of Public Transit
- Mild Winters
- Scenic Beaches
- Rich History
- Comprehensive Transit
- Higher Expenses
- Faster Pace
- Urban Density
- Higher Taxes
- Lower Cost of Living
- Friendly Communities
- Spacious Landscape
- Affordability
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to harsh Winters and hello to mild Winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited Coastline and moving to Massachusetts with scenic Beaches
- Swap the fewer Historical Sites of Wisconsin for rich History in Massachusetts
- Get ready for comprehensive Transit in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lower Cost of Living in Wisconsin to live with higher Expenses in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of friendly Communities and have to settle for the con of faster Pace
- Time to bid farewell to spacious Landscape and get used to urban Density in Massachusetts
- Swap affordability for higher Taxes
Wisconsin vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Lobster Roll |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Clam Cakes |
Most popular vegan food | Kale Salad | Jackfruit Tacos |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Lobster Roll and Clam Cakes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kale Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Wisconsin eateries like The Old Fashioned, Mader's, and SafeHouse. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Legal Sea Foods, Union Oyster House, and Santarpioβs.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Massachusetts compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Massachusetts
Comparison | Wisconsin | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie, Cape Cod | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Natural landscapes, Lake views | Proximity to education, Historical features |
- The Prairie and Cape Cod architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference natural landscapes and lake views, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to education and historical features.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Massachusetts is more walkable than Wisconsin.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 108% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 46% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 103.06% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Massachusetts
Comparison | Wisconsin | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
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, Cold Waves | Nor'easters, Coastal Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 60Β°F | 82Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 13Β°F | 37Β°F / 22Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32 | 47 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 43 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 6% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- Massachusetts has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and cold waves in Wisconsin, but be on the lookout for potential nor'easters and coastal storms in Massachusetts.
- The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is the same as Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 9 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 15 more inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Massachusetts
Comparison | Wisconsin | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 4.65% | 5.05% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 1.23% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.44% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Education, Health Services, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 33% more than those in Wisconsin
- The COLI in Massachusetts will be 27% higher than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in MA is 5.05% compared to 4.65% in WI
- The affluence in Massachusetts is high compared to moderate affluence in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is moderate in Massachusetts compared to low in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wisconsin and moderate in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | Wisconsin | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state, closely divided | Lean heavily Democratic |
Local Politics | Mix of conservative and liberal local governments | Mostly liberal local governments |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with a mix of other faiths | Higher percentage of non-religious individuals, diverse religious communities |
- Wisconsin tends to lean swing state and is closely divided in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as leaning heavily Democratic
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as having a higher percentage of non-religious individuals and diverse religious communities
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with a mix of other faiths
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Massachusetts
Comparison | Wisconsin | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Swan School (Madison) Lake View Elementary (Madison) Rockwell Elementary (Appleton) | Thompson Elementary (Arlington) Bowman Elementary (Lexington) Bridge Elementary (Lexington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Longfellow Middle (Wauwatosa) Whitefish Bay Middle (Whitefish Bay) Lake Shore Middle (Mequon) | William Diamond Middle (Lexington) Thomas Prince School (Princeton) Jonas Clarke Middle (Lexington) |
Top 3 High Schools | Eau Claire Memorial High (Eau Claire) Middleton High (Middleton) Brookfield Central High (Brookfield) | Lexington High (Lexington) Boston Latin School (Boston) Brookline High (Brookline) |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High (Milwaukee) Madison Country Day School (Madison) | Phillips Academy (Andover) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) Milton Academy (Milton) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Prairie School (Racine) University Lake School (Hartland) St. John's Northwestern Academies (Delafield) | The Winsor School (Boston) Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Cambridge) Roxbury Latin School (West Roxbury) |
Top 3 School Districts | Mequon-Thiensville School District Whitefish Bay School District Elmbrook School District | Lexington Public Schools Weston Public Schools Wellesley Public Schools |
How Much Do Wisconsin to Massachusetts Movers Cost?
Moving 1,034 miles from Wisconsin to Massachusetts will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,789 | 300 ft3 | $5.96 |
1 Bedroom | $2,661 | 450 ft3 | $5.91 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,397 | 750 ft3 | $5.86 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,394 | 1100 ft3 | $5.81 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,220 | 1600 ft3 | $5.76 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,282 | 1800 ft3 | $5.71 |
Top Wisconsin to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Wisconsin to Massachusetts