Minnesota vs Wisconsin: taxes, cost of living, laws
Minnesota
High tax burden · COL index 95
Wins 6 categories
Wisconsin
Moderate tax burden · COL index 93
Wins 10 categories
Minnesota's top income tax rate is 9.85% vs Wisconsin's 7.65%. Property taxes are meaningfully different: Wisconsin averages 1.51% annually vs Minnesota's 1.02%. Politically, Wisconsin voted Republican in 2024 (R+1.0) while Minnesota went Democratic (D+4.0).
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
Childcare
Utilities & Daily Costs
Social Policy
Category wins
6
Minnesota
10
Wisconsin
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Is it cheaper to live in Wisconsin than Minnesota?
The average cost of groceries in Minneapolis, MN is 1.1% higher than Madison, WI. The average cost of utilities in Minneapolis, MN is 2.3% lower than Madison, WI. The average cost of transportation in Minneapolis, MN is 0.6% lower than Madison, WI. The average rent in Minneapolis, MN is 6.1% lower than Madison, WI.
Is Minnesota richer than Wisconsin?
MINNESOTA — A new WalletHub report compares how much money people make in each state, and Minnesotans are earning significantly more than Wisconsinites in 2025. WalletHub, a personal finance website, analyzed data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine where people are doing best financially.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Minnesota?
A salary in the range of $55,000 to $75,000 is generally considered comfortable for a single person in Minnesota.
Is it colder in Minnesota or Wisconsin?
Wisconsin's climate is cold, but much milder than nearby Minnesota and North Dakota. Winters are over 5°F warmer than North Dakota, for example, largely because it's further south.