Wisconsin to Missouri Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 528 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Missouri? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Missouri across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs St. Louis-style Pizza), real estate & housing (prairie and craftsman vs colonial and ranch), 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 St. Louis-style Pizza & Smoked Brisket
- Missouri housing costs are 18% less expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in Missouri is 6.75% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to Missouri will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to Missouri movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Wisconsin to Missouri Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Missouri
- harsh winters
- higher taxes
- limited nightlife
- milder winters
- lower taxes
- vibrant nightlife
- less cultural diversity
- fewer lakes
- higher crime rates
- rich culture
- lake activities
- low crime rates
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Missouri
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from higher taxes and moving to Missouri with lower taxes
- Swap the limited nightlife of Wisconsin for vibrant nightlife in Missouri
- Get ready for beautiful landscapes in Missouri
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Missouri
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich culture in Wisconsin to live with less cultural diversity in Missouri
- You'll lose out on the pro of lake activities and have to settle with the con of fewer lakes
- Time to bid farewell to low crime rates and get used to higher crime rates in Missouri
- Swap the serenity of Wisconsin for the hustle and bustle of Missouri
Wisconsin vs. Missouri: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | St. Louis-style Pizza |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Smoked Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Toasted Ravioli |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich |
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 Missouri, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious St. Louis-style Pizza of Missouri. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, Missouri residents know they have tasty Smoked Brisket and Toasted Ravioli to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich of Missouri. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Wisconsin eateries like The Old Fashioned, Mader's, and Cafe Hollander. After the boxes are unpacked in Missouri, don't wait too long before making your way to Missouri's acclaimed eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Blueberry Hill, and Imo's Pizza.
When comparing lifestyles, Missouri shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Missouri, compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Missouri.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Missouri
Comparison | Wisconsin | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie and Craftsman | Colonial and Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakefront, Large Yards | Historic Homes, Urban Proximity |
- The Prairie and Craftsman architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Missouri.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference lakefront properties and large yards, Missouri real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes and urban proximity.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Missouri is more walkable than Wisconsin.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Missouri is less bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- Missouri has more of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- Missouri housing costs are 18% less expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $243,216 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Missouri have increased by 49% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in Missouri is 6.75% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Missouri
Comparison | Wisconsin | Missouri |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Tornadoes | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 89Β°F / 68Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 13Β°F | 41Β°F / 24Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32" | 42" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48" | 18" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to Missouri. Missouri gets 9% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- Missouri has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Wisconsin, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Missouri.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Missouri is 7 degrees warmer than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 11 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Missouri. Missouri receives 10 more inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Missouri
Comparison | Wisconsin | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $64,811 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.3% | 5.4% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 0.93% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.44% | 8.27% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Missouri tend to earn about 9% less than those in Wisconsin
- The COLI in Missouri will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in MO is 5.4% compared to 5.3% in WI
- The affluence in Missouri is modest compared to moderate affluence in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is moderate in Missouri compared to low poverty in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wisconsin and moderate in Missouri
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Missouri
Comparison | Wisconsin | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Battleground State | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Mixed Urban/Rural Division | Urban/Rural Split |
Religion | Primarily Christian, Diverse Denominations | Primarily Christian, with a strong Evangelical Presence |
- Wisconsin tends to lean battleground State in its political climate
- Missouri, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Missouri's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a strong Evangelical presence
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian with diverse denominations
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Missouri
Comparison | Wisconsin | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison Marquette University University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | University of Missouri Missouri State University Washington University in St. Louis |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Swan School (Madison) Elm Creative Arts School (Milwaukee) Roosevelt Elementary (Kenosha) | Old Bonhomme Elementary School (St. Louis) Wilson's Creek 5-6 School (Springfield) Mason Ridge Elementary School (Town and Country) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Whitefish Bay Middle School (Whitefish Bay) Lake Shore Middle School (Mequon) Kromrey Middle School (Middleton) | Ladue Middle School (Ladue) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) |
Top 3 High Schools | Brookfield East High School (Brookfield) Cedarburg High School (Cedarburg) Whitefish Bay High School (Whitefish Bay) | Clayton High School (Clayton) Ladue Horton Watkins High School (Ladue) Parkway West High School (Ballwin) |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Wayland Academy (Beaver Dam) Marquette University High School (Milwaukee) | Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) The Principia (St. Louis) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Prairie School (Racine) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) | The Barstow School (Kansas City) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) The Principia (St. Louis) |
Top 3 School Districts | Elmbrook School District (Brookfield) Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District (Middleton) Whitefish Bay School District (Whitefish Bay) | Clayton School District (Clayton) Ladue School District (Ladue) Parkway School District (Chesterfield) |
How Much Do Wisconsin to Missouri Movers Cost?
Moving 528 miles from Wisconsin to Missouri will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-8.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,502 | 300 ft3 | $5.01 |
1 Bedroom | $2,230 | 450 ft3 | $4.96 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,680 | 750 ft3 | $4.91 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,342 | 1100 ft3 | $4.86 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,690 | 1600 ft3 | $4.81 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,561 | 1800 ft3 | $4.76 |
Top Wisconsin to Missouri Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Missouri movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for Wisconsin to Missouri