Wisconsin to Montana Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 1,180 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs more sunshine), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Huckleberry Pie), real estate & housing (cape cod, ranch vs mountain rustic, log cabin), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Huckleberry Pie & Bison Steak
- Montana housing costs are 55% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in Montana is 12.72% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to Montana will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to Montana movers is Elite Movers
Wisconsin to Montana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Montana
- Harsh winters
- High property taxes
- Heavy traffic in cities
- Flat landscapes
- Limited outdoor activities
- More sunshine
- Lower property taxes
- Less crowded roads
- Mountain views
- Extensive outdoor pursuits
- Limited urban amenities
- Fewer cultural events
- Fewer corporate jobs
- Less nightlife variety
- Fewer educational institutions
- Strong agricultural sector
- Rich culture and history
- Diverse job opportunities
- Vibrant music scene
- Good public schools
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Montana
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to more sunshine
- Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to Montana with lower property taxes
- Swap the heavy traffic in cities of Wisconsin for less crowded roads in Montana
- Get ready for mountain views in Montana
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Montana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a strong agricultural sector in Wisconsin to live with limited urban amenities in Montana
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich culture and history and have to settle for the con of fewer cultural events
- Time to bid farewell to diverse job opportunities and get used to fewer corporate jobs in Montana
- Swap a vibrant music scene for less nightlife variety
Wisconsin vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | Montana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Huckleberry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Bison Steak |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Elk Burgers |
Most popular vegan food | Beer-battered cauliflower | Lentil Stew |
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 Montana, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Huckleberry Pie of Montana. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, Montana residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Elk Burgers to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Beer-battered Cauliflower they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Stew of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Wisconsin eateries like Maderβs, Ardent, and La Merenda. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like The Polebridge Mercantile, Buck's T-4 Lodge, and 2nd St. Sushi.
When comparing lifestyles, Montana shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Montana, compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Montana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Montana
Comparison | Wisconsin | Montana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cape Cod, Ranch | Mountain Rustic, Log Cabin |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Green space | Mountain views, Proximity to outdoor activities |
- The Cape Cod and Ranch architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Mountain Rustic and Log Cabin architecture typical of Montana.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and green space, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and proximity to outdoor activities.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Montana is less walkable than Wisconsin.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Montana is less bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- Montana has less of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- Montana housing costs are 55% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in Montana is 12.72% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Montana
Comparison | Wisconsin | Montana |
---|---|---|
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, region-specific |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 85Β°F / 50Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 13Β°F | 34Β°F / 16Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 34" | 15" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48" | 67" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to Montana. Montana gets 9% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- Montana 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 Montana.
- The average summer high temperature in Montana is 3 degrees warmer than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana, as Montana receives 19 fewer inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Montana
Comparison | Wisconsin | Montana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $67,631 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 99.4 |
State Income Tax | 3.54% - 7.65% | No state income tax |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 0.84% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.44% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Tourism, Agriculture, Mining |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 5% less than those in Wisconsin
- The COLI in Montana will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in MT is no state income tax compared to 3.54% - 7.65% in WI
- The affluence in Montana is modest compared to moderate affluence in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is moderate in Montana compared to moderate poverty in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wisconsin and low in Montana
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Montana
Comparison | Wisconsin | Montana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Battleground state with closely split political affiliations | Leans Republican, especially in state-wide elections |
Local Politics | Liberal strongholds in Madison and Milwaukee | Conservative strongholds in rural areas, with liberal pockets in Missoula and Bozeman |
Religion | Christianity predominantly, with a mix of Protestant and Catholic majority | Primarily Christian, with a higher proportion of Protestants |
- Wisconsin tends to lean as a battleground state with closely split political affiliations in its political climate
- Montana, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican, especially in state-wide elections
- Montana's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with a higher proportion of Protestants
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity, predominantly with a mix of Protestant and Catholic majorities
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Montana
Comparison | Wisconsin | Montana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison Marquette University University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | Montana State University University of Montana Montana Tech |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Prairie View Elementary Burlington; Swallow School Hartland; Richmond School Sussex | Chief Joseph Elementary Bozeman; Hawthorne Elementary Bozeman; Cold Springs Elementary Missoula |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Lake Shore Middle Mequon; Pilgrim Park Middle School Elm Grove; Kromrey Middle Middleton | Sacajawea Middle School Bozeman; Washington Middle School Missoula; Lewis and Clark Middle School Billings |
Top 3 High School Schools | Brookfield Central High School Brookfield; Cedarburg High School Cedarburg; Whitefish Bay High School Whitefish Bay | Bozeman High School Bozeman; Sentinel High School Missoula; Hellgate High School Missoula |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee; Marquette University High School Milwaukee; Brookfield Academy Brookfield | Missoula International School Missoula; Billings Central Catholic High School Billings; Petra Academy Bozeman |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University Lake School Hartland; Madison Country Day School Waunakee; Prairie School Racine | Montana Academy Marion; Stillwater Christian School Kalispell; Heritage Christian School Bozeman |
Top 3 School Districts | Elmbrook School District Brookfield; Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Middleton; Mequon-Thiensville School District Mequon | Bozeman High School District Bozeman; Missoula County Public Schools Missoula; Billings Public Schools Billings |
How Much Do Wisconsin to Montana Movers Cost?
Moving 1,180 miles from Wisconsin to Montana will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
- 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 | $1,871 | 300 ft3 | $6.24 |
1 Bedroom | $2,785 | 450 ft3 | $6.19 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,604 | 750 ft3 | $6.14 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,697 | 1100 ft3 | $6.09 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,661 | 1600 ft3 | $6.04 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,779 | 1800 ft3 | $5.99 |
Top Wisconsin to Montana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Montana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.