Wisconsin to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 430 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (craftsman and farmhouse vs victorian and modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Walleye
- Minnesota housing costs are 12% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in Minnesota is 33.28% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to Minnesota will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to Minnesota movers is Elite Movers
Wisconsin to Minnesota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Minnesota
- Harsh winters
- Lack of cultural diversity
- Limited public transport
- Fewer job opportunities
- Less outdoor recreation
- Milder winters
- Vibrant cities like Minneapolis
- Efficient public transit
- Thriving job market
- Vast outdoor activities
- Busier urban life
- Higher living expenses
- Possibly less community feel
- More crowded spaces
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Cherished rural charm
- Lower cost of living
- Strong community ties
- Spacious landscapes
- Calm small-town life
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Minnesota
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from a lack of cultural diversity and moving to Minnesota with vibrant cities like Minneapolis
- Swap the limited public transport of Wisconsin for efficient public transit in Minnesota
- Get ready for a thriving job market in Minnesota
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Minnesota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the cherished rural charm in Wisconsin to live with a busier urban life in Minnesota
- You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle for the con of higher living expenses
- Time to bid farewell to strong community ties and get used to possibly less of a community feel in Minnesota
- Swap spacious landscapes for more crowded spaces
Wisconsin vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Walleye |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Jucy Lucy |
Most popular vegan food | Grain Bowls | Wild Rice Dishes |
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 Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Jucy Lucy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grain Bowls they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Dishes of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Wisconsin eateries like Lake Geneva Country Meats, Mader's, and The Farmhouse. After the boxes are unpacked in Minnesota, don't wait too long before making your way to Minnesota's acclaimed eateries like Spoon and Stable, Matt's Bar, and CafΓ© Alma.
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Minnesota compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Minnesota
Comparison | Wisconsin | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman and Farmhouse | Victorian and Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Land, Lake Access | Green Spaces, Proximity to Parks |
- The Craftsman and Farmhouse architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Modern architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference land and lake access, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like green spaces and proximity to parks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Minnesota is more walkable than Wisconsin.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Minnesota is more bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- Minnesota has more of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- Minnesota housing costs are 12% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in Minnesota is 33.28% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Minnesota
Comparison | Wisconsin | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 83Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 13Β°F | 24Β°F / 7Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 34" | 30" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48" | 55" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 5% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- Minnesota has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Wisconsin, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota.
- The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 1 degree warmer than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows in Minnesota are 6 degrees colder than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Minnesota
Comparison | Wisconsin | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $82,338 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 6.27% | 6.80% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 1.15% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.44% | 7.49% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Lower | Lower |
Homelessness | Moderate | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 16% more than those in Wisconsin
- The COLI in Minnesota is 3% higher than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in MN is 6.80% compared to 6.27% in WI
- The affluence in Minnesota is higher compared to moderate affluence in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is lower in Minnesota compared to lower poverty in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Wisconsin and moderate in Minnesota
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Minnesota
Comparison | Wisconsin | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; Lean towards swing state in national elections | Slightly more Democratic-leaning |
Local Politics | Varied; rural areas tend to lean Republican, urban areas lean Democratic | Similar pattern, but with stronger Democratic strongholds in cities like Minneapolis |
Religion | Christian majority; Diverse religious communities | Christian majority; Notable diversity including larger Muslim communities |
- Wisconsin tends to lean mixed and leans towards being a swing state in national elections in its political climate
- Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as slightly more Democratic-leaning
- Minnesota's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with notable diversity including larger Muslim communities
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Minnesota
Comparison | Wisconsin | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minnesota State University-Mankato University of St. Thomas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Swallow School Hartland; Elm Lawn Elementary Middleton; Lakeview Elementary Neenah | Scenic Heights Elementary Minnetonka; Deephaven Elementary Minnetonka; St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower Stillwater |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Whitefish Bay Middle Whitefish Bay; Kromrey Middle Middleton; Lake Shore Middle Mequon | Minnetonka Middle School East Minnetonka; Wayzata East Middle School Plymouth; St. Croix Preparatory Academy Middle Stillwater |
Top 3 High Schools | Brookfield East High Brookfield; Cedarburg High Cedarburg; Whitefish Bay High Whitefish Bay | Minnetonka High Minnetonka; Eden Prairie High Eden Prairie; Edina High Edina |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee; Marquette University High Milwaukee; Brookfield Academy Brookfield | Breck School Minneapolis; St. Paul Academy St. Paul; The Blake School Minneapolis |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee; Brookfield Academy Brookfield; Prairie School Racine | The Blake School Minneapolis; Breck School Minneapolis; St. Paul Academy and Summit School St. Paul |
Top 3 School Districts | Elmbrook School District Brookfield; Whitefish Bay School District Whitefish Bay; Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Middleton | Minnetonka Public School District Minnetonka; Eden Prairie School District Eden Prairie; Edina Public School District Edina |
How Much Do Wisconsin to Minnesota Movers Cost?
Moving 430 miles from Wisconsin to Minnesota will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,446 | 300 ft3 | $4.82 |
1 Bedroom | $2,147 | 450 ft3 | $4.77 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,541 | 750 ft3 | $4.72 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,138 | 1100 ft3 | $4.67 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,393 | 1600 ft3 | $4.62 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,228 | 1800 ft3 | $4.57 |
Top Wisconsin to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.