Movers

Wisconsin to Virginia Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

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Planning a 914 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like frigid winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Ham), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Ham & BBQ Pulled Pork
  • Virginia housing costs are 31% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin
  • Rent in Virginia is 46.39% more expensive than in Wisconsin
  • Moving from Wisconsin to Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Wisconsin to Virginia movers is ARS Movers

Wisconsin to Virginia Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Virginia

ConsWisconsin iconWisconsin
  • Frigid winters
  • Flat landscape
  • Limited job market
  • Sparse cultural events
ProsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Milder winters
  • Diverse terrain
  • Thriving industries
  • Rich history and culture

Virginia iconVirginia
  • Higher cost of living
  • Higher traffic congestion
  • Hurricane threats
  • Less brewing diversity
Wisconsin iconWisconsin
  • Friendly communities
  • Low crime rates
  • Beautiful lakes
  • Local craft beer

Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Virginia

  • Say goodbye to frigid winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from a flat landscape and moving to Virginia with diverse terrain
  • Swap the limited job market of Wisconsin for thriving industries in Virginia
  • Get ready for rich history and culture in Virginia

Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Virginia

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from friendly communities in Wisconsin to live with a higher cost of living in Virginia
  • You'll lose out on the pro of low crime rates and have to settle for the con of higher traffic congestion
  • Time to bid farewell to beautiful lakes and get used to hurricane threats in Virginia
  • Swap local craft beer for less brewing diversity

Wisconsin vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWisconsinVirginia
Most iconic local food itemCheese CurdsHam
Most popular meat dishBratwurstBBQ Pulled Pork
Most popular street food itemFried Cheese CurdsSeafood Boil
Most popular vegan foodMushroom WellingtonBlack-Eyed Pea Fritters
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Mader's
  • The Old Fashioned
  • SafeHouse
  • Tarrant's Cafe
  • Mama J's Kitchen
  • Lemaire
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Wisconsin to Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Ham of Virginia. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, Virginia residents know they have tasty BBQ Pulled Pork and Seafood Boil to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Wellington they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black-Eyed Pea Fritters of Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Wisconsin eateries like Mader's, The Old Fashioned, and SafeHouse. After the boxes are unpacked in Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to Virginia's acclaimed eateries like Tarrant's Cafe, Mama J's Kitchen, and Lemaire.

When comparing lifestyles, Virginia shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Virginia compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Virginia.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Virginia

ComparisonWisconsinVirginia
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman, RanchColonial, Cape Cod
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLarge backyards, proximity to natureHistoric homes, access to amenities
  • The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Virginia.
  • Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference large backyards and proximity to nature, Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes and access to amenities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Virginia is more walkable than Wisconsin.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Virginia is more bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
  • Virginia has more of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
  • Virginia housing costs are 31% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $385,780 compared to Wisconsin’s $294,909.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased by 42% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
  • Rent in Virginia is 46.39% more expensive than in Wisconsin.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Virginia

ComparisonWisconsinVirginia
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersSnowstorms, Cold WavesHurricanes, Nor'easters
Air QualityModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 57Β°F87Β°F / 66Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)28Β°F / 13Β°F48Β°F / 29Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)32"44"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)48"14"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to Virginia. Virginia gets 10% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
  • Virginia 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 hurricanes and nor'easters in Virginia.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 5 degrees warmer than in Wisconsin.
  • The average winter lows are 16 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Virginia. Virginia receives 12 more inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Virginia

ComparisonWisconsinVirginia
Avg. Household Income$70,996$85,873
Cost of Living Index95.6596.6
State Income Tax7.65%5.75%
Avg. Property Tax1.68%0.80%
Avg. Sales Tax5.43%5.30%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, HealthcareTechnology, Defense, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 21% more than those in Wisconsin
  • The COLI in Virginia will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
  • The state income tax in VA is 5.75% compared to 7.65% in WI
  • The affluence in Virginia is high compared to moderate affluence in Wisconsin
  • The poverty level is moderate in Virginia compared to low in Wisconsin
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wisconsin and moderate in Virginia

Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Virginia

ComparisonWisconsinVirginia
Political Make-upBattleground state with a mix of liberal and conservative areasSwing state, recently trending more liberal, especially in urban areas
Local PoliticsSignificant urban-rural divide in political beliefsDiverse political landscape with northern regions leaning more liberal
ReligionMainly Christian, with Catholic and Lutheran denominations being prominentLargely Christian, with a notable increase in non-Christian faiths in urban centers
  • Wisconsin tends to lean as a battleground state with a mix of liberal and conservative areas in its political climate
  • Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, recently trending more liberal especially in urban areas
  • Virginia's religious environment can be described as largely Christian with a notable increase in non-Christian faiths in urban centers
  • Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mainly Christian with Catholic and Lutheran denominations being prominent

Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Virginia

ComparisonWisconsinVirginia
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Marquette University
University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
William & Mary
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsSwanson Elementary - Brookfield
Bayside Middle - Milwaukee
Orchard Lane Elementary - New Berlin
Nottingham Elementary - Arlington
Lucketts Elementary - Leesburg
Springfield Estates Elementary - Springfield
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle - La Crosse
Pilgrim Park Middle School - Elm Grove
Whitefish Bay Middle - Whitefish Bay
Longfellow Middle - Falls Church
Frost Middle - Fairfax
Henley Middle - Charlottesville
Top 3 High SchoolsBrookfield East High - Brookfield
Whitefish Bay High - Whitefish Bay
Cedarburg High - Cedarburg
Thomas Jefferson High for Science and Technology - Alexandria
McLean High - McLean
Langley High - McLean
Top 3 private high schoolsUniversity School of Milwaukee - Milwaukee
Marquette University High - Milwaukee
Wayland Academy - Beaver Dam
Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology - Alexandria
The Madeira School - McLean
St. Christopher’s School - Richmond
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsUniversity School of Milwaukee - Milwaukee
Prairie School - Racine
Brookfield Academy - Brookfield
The Potomac School - McLean
Flint Hill School - Oakton
The Steward School - Richmond
Top 3 School DistrictsElmbrook School District
Whitefish Bay School District
Cedarburg School District
Arlington Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools

How Much Do Wisconsin to Virginia Movers Cost?

Moving 914 miles from Wisconsin to Virginia 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,721300 ft3$5.74
1 Bedroom$2,558450 ft3$5.69
2 Bedrooms$4,227750 ft3$5.64
3 Bedrooms$6,1441100 ft3$5.59
4 Bedrooms$8,8571600 ft3$5.54
5+ Bedrooms$9,8741800 ft3$5.49

Top Wisconsin to Virginia Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Wisconsin to Virginia

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Elite Movers featured image

Elite Movers

9.58/10
ExceptionalView details