Wisconsin to Nebraska Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 740 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Nebraska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Nebraska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Runza), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs ranch, bungalow), 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 Runza & Beef Steak
- Nebraska housing costs are 13% less expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in Nebraska is 2.12% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to Nebraska will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to Nebraska movers is Elite Movers
Wisconsin to Nebraska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Nebraska
- Harsh winters
- High property taxes
- Busy urban areas
- Congested traffic
- Higher cost of living
- Milder winters
- Lower property taxes
- Quieter lifestyle
- Lighter traffic
- Affordable living
- Less seasonal variety
- Fewer water bodies
- Limited cultural events
- More rural settings
- Fewer local dairies
- Four distinct seasons
- Bountiful lakes
- Thriving arts scene
- Rich history
- Famous cheese
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Nebraska
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to Nebraska with lower property taxes
- Swap the busy urban areas of Wisconsin for a quieter lifestyle in Nebraska
- Get ready for lighter traffic in Nebraska
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Nebraska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from four distinct seasons in Wisconsin to live with less seasonal variety in Nebraska
- You'll lose out on the pro of bountiful lakes and have to settle for the con of fewer water bodies
- Time to bid farewell to a thriving arts scene and get used to limited cultural events in Nebraska
- Swap rich history for more rural settings
Wisconsin vs. Nebraska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Runza |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Beef Steak |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Corn Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Grilled Vegetable Skewers | Black Bean Burgers |
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 Nebraska, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Runza of Nebraska. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, Nebraska residents know they have tasty Beef Steak and Corn Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grilled Vegetable Skewers they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burgers of Nebraska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Wisconsin eateries like Lake Park Bistro, Mader's, and The Old Fashioned. After the boxes are unpacked in Nebraska, don't wait too long before making your way to Nebraska's acclaimed eateries like Runza Restaurants, Misty's Steakhouse, and Lazlo's Brewery and Grill.
When comparing lifestyles, Nebraska shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Nebraska, compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Nebraska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Nebraska
Comparison | Wisconsin | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Ranch, Bungalow |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Large yards | Quiet neighborhoods, Accessibility |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Bungalow architecture typical of Nebraska.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings, which commonly reference waterfront properties and large yards, Nebraska real estate listings often highlight features like quiet neighborhoods and accessibility.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Nebraska is less walkable than Wisconsin.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Nebraska is less bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- Nebraska has less of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- Nebraska housing costs are 13% less expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $257,167 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Nebraska have increased by 47%, compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in Nebraska is 2.12% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Nebraska
Comparison | Wisconsin | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
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 Fronts | Tornadoes, Severe Thunderstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 60Β°F | 87Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 29Β°F / 13Β°F | 35Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 34" | 30" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48" | 28" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to Nebraska. Nebraska gets 18% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- Nebraska has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and cold fronts in Wisconsin, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in Nebraska.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Nebraska is 5 degrees warmer than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows in Nebraska are 0 degrees colder than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Nebraska. Nebraska receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Nebraska
Comparison | Wisconsin | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $69,597 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 90.85 |
State Income Tax | 4.65% | 6.84% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 1.61% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.43% | 5.54% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Agriculture, Insurance, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Stable |
Poverty | Moderate | Manageable |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Nebraska tend to earn about 2% less than in Wisconsin
- The COLI in Nebraska is 5% lower than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in NE is 6.84% compared to 4.65% in WI
- The affluence in Nebraska is stable compared to moderate in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is manageable in Nebraska compared to moderate in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Wisconsin and low in Nebraska
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Nebraska
Comparison | Wisconsin | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state with a mix of Democratic and Republican | Largely Republican |
Local Politics | Mixed urban and rural political views | Predominantly conservative rural areas |
Religion | Christianity dominates, with a diverse religious presence | Christianity dominant, particularly Evangelical and Catholic |
- Wisconsin tends to lean swing state with a mix of Democratic and Republican in its political climate
- Nebraska, on the other hand, is often described as largely Republican
- Nebraska's religious environment can be described as Christianity dominant, particularly Evangelical and Catholic
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant, with a diverse religious presence
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Nebraska
Comparison | Wisconsin | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison Marquette University University of Minnesota Twin Cities | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Creighton University Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Swan School (Madison) Elm Lawn Elementary (Middleton) Lakeview Elementary School (Neenah) | Anchor Pointe Elementary (Bennington) Hillrise Elementary School (Elkhorn) Trump Elementary (Lincoln) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Longfellow Middle School (Milwaukee) Whitefish Bay Middle (Whitefish Bay) Lake Shore Middle School (Mequon) | Elkhorn Grandview Middle School (Elkhorn) Brownell Talbot School (Omaha) Lux Middle School (Lincoln) |
Top 3 High Schools | Brookfield East High School (Brookfield) Whitefish Bay High School (Whitefish Bay) Cedarburg High School (Cedarburg) | Lincoln East High School (Lincoln) Millard North High School (Omaha) Elkhorn South High School (Elkhorn) |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High School (Milwaukee) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) | Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School (Omaha) Mount Michael Benedictine School (Elkhorn) Marian High School (Omaha) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) The Prairie School (Racine) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) | Brownell Talbot School (Omaha) Omaha Christian Academy (Omaha) Lincoln Christian School (Lincoln) |
Top 3 School Districts | Whitefish Bay School District Elmbrook School District Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District | Elkhorn Public Schools Lincoln Public Schools Millard Public Schools |
How Much Do Wisconsin to Nebraska Movers Cost?
Moving 740 miles from Wisconsin to Nebraska will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- 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 | $1,622 | 300 ft3 | $5.41 |
1 Bedroom | $2,411 | 450 ft3 | $5.36 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,980 | 750 ft3 | $5.31 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,782 | 1100 ft3 | $5.26 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,331 | 1600 ft3 | $5.21 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,282 | 1800 ft3 | $5.16 |
Top Wisconsin to Nebraska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Nebraska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.