Wisconsin to Ohio Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 486 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Ohio? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Ohio across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Buckeye Candy), real estate & housing (craftsman and cape cod 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 Buckeye Candy & Cincinnati Chili
- Ohio housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in Ohio is 15.78% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to Ohio will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to Ohio movers is Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Wisconsin to Ohio Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Ohio
- Cold winters
- Limited job market
- Fewer cultural events
- Costly dairy goods
- Milder winters
- Expanding job market
- Rich cultural scene
- Affordable groceries
- Fewer lakes
- Average cheese
- More urbanized
- Heavier traffic
- Beautiful lakes
- Great cheese
- Rural charm
- Fewer traffic jams
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Ohio
- Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Ohio with an expanding job market
- Swap the fewer cultural events of Wisconsin for a rich cultural scene in Ohio
- Get ready for affordable groceries in Ohio
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Ohio
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful lakes in Wisconsin to live with fewer lakes in Ohio
- You'll lose out on the pro of great cheese and have to settle for the con of average cheese
- Time to bid farewell to rural charm and get used to a more urbanized Ohio
- Swap fewer traffic jams for heavier traffic
Wisconsin vs. Ohio: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | Ohio |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Buckeye Candy |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Cincinnati Chili |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Polish Boy |
Most popular vegan food | Beer-Battered Cauliflower | Vegan Cincinnati Chili |
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 Ohio, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Buckeye Candy of Ohio. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, Ohio residents know they have tasty Cincinnati Chili and Polish Boy 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 Vegan Cincinnati Chili of Ohio. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Wisconsin eateries like L'Etoile, Mader's, and SafeHouse Milwaukee. After the boxes are unpacked in Ohio, don't wait too long before making your way to Ohio's acclaimed eateries like Skyline Chili, Schmidtβs Sausage Haus, and Pier W.
When comparing lifestyles, Ohio shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Ohio compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Ohio.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Ohio
Comparison | Wisconsin | Ohio |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman and Cape Cod | Colonial and Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Spacious yards | Close to schools, Updated kitchens |
- The Craftsman and Cape Cod architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Ohio.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and spacious yards, Ohio's real estate listings often highlight features like closeness to schools and updated kitchens.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Ohio is less walkable than Wisconsin.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Ohio is less bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- Ohio has more of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- Ohio housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $223,135 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Ohio have increased by 49% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in Ohio is 15.78% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Ohio
Comparison | Wisconsin | Ohio |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F/62Β°F | 85Β°F/64Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F/13Β°F | 36Β°F/22Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 34" | 39" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48" | 28" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Wisconsin to Ohio. Ohio gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- Ohio 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 tornadoes and floods in Ohio.
- The average summer high temperature in Ohio is 3 degrees warmer than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 9 degrees warmer than those in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Ohio. Ohio receives 5 more inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Ohio
Comparison | Wisconsin | Ohio |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $65,720 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 92.85 |
State Income Tax | 6.27% | 4.797% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 1.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.43% | 7.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Manufacturing, Finance, Energy |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Ohio tend to earn about 7% less than in Wisconsin
- The COLI in Ohio is 3% lower than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in OH is 4.797% compared to 6.27% in WI
- The affluence in Ohio is moderate compared to moderate in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is moderate in Ohio compared to low in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wisconsin and moderate in Ohio
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Ohio
Comparison | Wisconsin | Ohio |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Battleground state, slight lean towards progressive policies | Swing state with a mix of conservative and liberal areas |
Local Politics | Mixture of liberal urban areas (Madison, Milwaukee) and conservative rural areas | Liberal strongholds in cities like Columbus, balanced by conservative rural regions |
Religion | Christian majority, with a blend of Protestants and Catholics; growing non-religious sector | Christian majority, with a predominant Protestant presence; diverse religious communities in urban areas |
- Wisconsin tends to lean as a battleground state with a slight lean towards progressive policies in its political climate
- Ohio, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with a mix of conservative and liberal areas
- Ohio's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with a predominant Protestant presence and diverse religious communities in urban areas
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a blend of Protestants and Catholics and a growing non-religious sector
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Ohio
Comparison | Wisconsin | Ohio |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Marquette University Milwaukee University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse | Ohio State University Columbus University of Cincinnati Cincinnati Ohio University Athens |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Swanson Elementary Brookfield Richmond Elementary Appleton Elm Lawn Elementary Middleton | Indian Hill Elementary Cincinnati Granville Elementary Granville Ottawa Hills Elementary Toledo |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Longfellow Middle Wauwatosa Pilgrim Park Middle School Elm Grove Washburn Middle Washburn | Ottawa Hills Junior/Senior High Toledo Granville Middle School Granville Indian Hill Middle School Cincinnati |
Top 3 High School Schools | Brookfield East High Brookfield Eau Claire Memorial High Eau Claire Whitefish Bay High Whitefish Bay | Walnut Hills High Cincinnati Ottawa Hills High Toledo Bexley High Bexley |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee Marquette University High Milwaukee Brookfield Academy Brookfield | Hawken School Gates Mills University School Hunting Valley Columbus Academy Gahanna |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University Lake School Hartland St. John's Northwestern Academies Delafield The Prairie School Racine | Cincinnati Country Day School Cincinnati The Seven Hills School Cincinnati Columbus School for Girls Columbus |
Top 3 School Districts | Elmbrook Schools Brookfield Whitefish Bay School District Whitefish Bay Shorewood School District Shorewood | Indian Hill Exempted Village School District Cincinnati Granville Exempted Village School District Granville Ottawa Hills Local School District Toledo |
How Much Do Wisconsin to Ohio Movers Cost?
Moving 486 miles from Wisconsin to Ohio 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: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,478 | 300 ft3 | $4.93 |
1 Bedroom | $2,195 | 450 ft3 | $4.88 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,620 | 750 ft3 | $4.83 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,254 | 1100 ft3 | $4.78 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,563 | 1600 ft3 | $4.73 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,418 | 1800 ft3 | $4.68 |
Top Wisconsin to Ohio Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Ohio movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Best moving company overall for Wisconsin to Ohio