Wisconsinincome tax up to 7.65%, 7th highest property tax, median home $285K

R+1 · Moderate tax burden · COL index 93

7.65%

Income Tax

295

Violent Crime / 100K

78.1

Life Expectancy

$285K

Median Home

$1,250

Childcare / Mo

Wisconsin in plain English

Worth knowing before you move to Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a graduated income tax reaching 7.65%, does not tax Social Security, and exempts some retirement income for residents 65 and over. Property taxes are high, largely for schools and local services, with a state lottery credit offsetting part of the bill. Milwaukee and Madison drive most job growth; the northern half of the state is lakes, forests and second homes.

What Wisconsin taxes, and what it doesn't

Wisconsin levies a graduated income tax that tops out at 7.65%. A household earning $75,000 pays an effective 4.9%, about $3,642 a year; at $150,000 the effective rate is 5.1%. Among the 41 states that tax income, Wisconsin has the 19th highest effective rate at $100,000 of income.

Property tax runs 1.51% of home value a year, roughly $4,304 on the state's median home of $285K. The national effective rate is about 1.10%, and Wisconsin has the 7th highest rate of the 50 states.

Combined state and local sales tax averages 5.43%, the 8th lowest in the country (the state portion is 5%).

For retirees: Social Security benefits are not taxed, pension income is partly exempt, and there is no estate or inheritance tax.

Capital gains are taxed as ordinary income.

Housing and the cost of living in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average; that is the 19th cheapest of the 50 states.

The median home costs $285K, 6% below the national figure and the 18th lowest among the states. A two-bedroom rents for about $1,200 a month.

Carrying costs matter as much as the price: home insurance averages $1,100 a year, flood coverage adds about $550 where it is needed, car insurance runs $1,290.

Budget $135 a month for electricity and gas, $470 a month in groceries for two, $1,250 a month for full-time infant care.

Safety, health and schools

Violent crime is 295 incidents per 100,000 residents in the FBI's 2023 Crime Data Explorer figures, below the median state (387); Wisconsin is the 18th safest of the 50 by that measure. Property crime is 1,787 per 100,000.

Life expectancy is 78.1 years (County Health Rankings 2024). 5.7% of residents have no health insurance, and the state has not expanded Medicaid. The Commonwealth Fund's 2023 scorecard ranks Wisconsin's health system 8th of 50.

Education Week's 2023 Quality Counts report ranks K-12 schools 11th in the country, and the state runs a school-choice voucher program.

Politics, guns and social policy

Politically, Wisconsin is a swing state decided by Trump by 1 points in 2024.

On guns, concealed-carry permits are shall-issue, and Giffords grades the state's gun laws F.

Abortion is legal with limits. Marijuana is illegal. Wisconsin is a right-to-work state, and the minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.

Climate, risk and getting around

Natural disaster risk is moderate. The main hazards are blizzard, tornado, flood. Annual average air quality index is 34 (under 50 is good).

Wisconsin has no top-25 hub airport, with about 75 nonstop destinations from its busiest airport.

Written from the figures on this page. Rankings compare the 50 states. Sources and years are listed with each figure below.

Largest counties in Wisconsin

Milwaukee County Dane County Waukesha County Brown County Racine County Outagamie County Winnebago County Kenosha County Rock County Marathon County All Wisconsin counties →

Ranked lists

State Profile

75/100

Wisconsin will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.

One email when Wisconsin changes a tax, gun, cannabis or abortion law. Unsubscribe in one click.

Taxes

Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026

▾

Income Tax

7.65% top

Property Tax

~$4,304/yr on median home

1.51% / yr

Sales Tax

5.43% avg

Social Security

Exempt

Pension / IRA

Partial

Estate Tax

None

Inheritance Tax

None

Capital Gains

Taxed as income

Housing & Cost of Living

Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)

▾

Price Level vs US (BEA)

Below US average (100)

94.1

Mortgages 90+ Days Late

FHFA, latest quarter

0.5%

Cost of Living Index

National avg = 100

Median Home Price

$285,000

Median Rent (2BR)

$1,200/mo

Home Insurance

Near national avg (~$1,900/yr)

$1,100/yr

Flood Insurance

$550/yr

Homestead Exemption

Home equity protected from creditors

Unlimited

Asset Protection

Strong

Homes in HOAs

HOAs are rare here (Census ACS 2024)

10.5%

Zoning Restrictiveness

Middle of the pack (Wharton WRLURI 2018)

Average

Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb)

Wis. Stat. 66.1019 limits local bans (rentals of 7+ days); local permitting still applies.

State-Protected

Crime & Safety

Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024

▾

Violent Crime Rate

Near national avg

295 / 100K

Property Crime Rate

Near national avg

1,787 / 100K

Traffic Fatality Rate

9 / 100K

Registered Sex Offenders

Among the highest registry rates (SafeHome 2025)

463 / 100K

Homeless Population

Low homelessness rate — 10% unsheltered (HUD 2024 PIT)

85 / 100K

Healthcare

Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC

▾

State Healthcare Rank

Top tier

#8 of 50

Life Expectancy

78.1 yrs

Medicaid Expansion

Not Expanded

Uninsured Rate

Well below national avg

5.7%

Education

Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)

▾

College Completion Rate

College Scorecard, in-state institutions (mean)

60%

Avg College Cost of Attendance

College Scorecard 2024

$31,395/yr

K-12 Quality Rank

#11 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Available

HS Graduation Rate

Above national avg (~87%)

91.0%

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Near national avg (~16)

14.4 students/teacher

Childcare

Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022

▾

Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)

$1,250/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022

▾

Grid Carbon Intensity

Dirtier than US average (~820)

1171 lb CO₂/MWh

Avg Monthly Energy Bill

$135/mo

Electricity Rate

Near national avg (13¢)

14.3¢/kWh

Energy Mix

⚡ 9% renewable · ☀ 1% solar · 💨 3% wind

Avg Monthly Groceries

2-person household, moderate spending

$470/mo

Road Quality Rank

#11 of 50

Airports & Travel

Sources: FAA · BTS

▾

Nonstop Destinations

From state's primary airport

75+ routes

Major Hub Airport

Regional airport — connections via hub

Culture & Lifestyle

Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024

▾

Urban Population

Mix of urban and rural

70% urban

Restaurant Density

440/100K

Religious Congregations

185/100K

Pro Sports Teams

NFL + NBA + MLB + NHL + MLS

4 teams

Major Venues

Stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters (10K+ capacity)

6 venues

Craft Breweries

3.7/100K residents — Solid scene

220 breweries

Craft Distilleries

Strong spirits scene

50 distilleries

Live Music

Milwaukee beer capital heritage (Miller, Pabst roots); Summerfest (world's largest music festival by attendance); Madison House of Blues

World-class

Transportation

Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026

▾

Car Insurance (Avg Annual)

$1,290

Traffic Fatality Rate

9 / 100K

Broadband Access

83% of households

Work From Home

State residents who primarily work from home (ACS)

300,409 workers

Social & Legal

Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026

▾

Formal Volunteering Rate

AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023 (US ~28%)

31.1%

Votes in Local Elections

AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023

57.9%

Abortion Access

1849 near-total ban being challenged in courts; access uncertain

Limited

LGBTQ+ Protections

Moderate

Marijuana

Illegal

Minimum Wage

$7.25/hr

Right to Work

Yes

Sports Betting

Illegal

Casino Gambling

Tribal casinos

Online Gambling

Illegal

State Lottery

23 tribal casinos. Sports betting bills have stalled due to tribal opposition to commercial expansion.

Yes

Age of Consent

Sex Education

No state sex ed mandate

Abstinence-plus

Nude Beaches & Naturist Clubs

Circle S Ranch (Hartford) · Wisconsin Badger Naturists

Clubs only

Environment & Climate

Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index

▾

Air Quality (Annual AQI)

Near national avg

Natural Disaster Risk

Moderate

Primary Hazards

blizzardtornadoflood

Politics & Gun Laws

Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes

▾

2024 Presidential Vote

R+1

Gun Laws

Gun ControlF

2A LibertyA+

Carry Permit

Shall-issue

Purchase Permit Required

Carry in Bars

Allowed

Carry in Restaurants

Allowed

Carry in Places of Worship

Concealed allowed (no consuming); open carry prohibited in alcohol venues.

Allowed

Gambling

Legal

Hunting & Outdoors

Sources: state wildlife agencies · USFS · BLM · USFWS (May 2026)

▾

Public Land17% of state

Resident Deer License$24

Deer Archery SeasonSep 14 – Jan 6

CrossbowFull season

Wisconsin has one of the highest deer harvest totals in the nation. Long archery season from mid-September through early January.

Wisconsin DNR — Official Season Dates ↗

Finding nearby venues...

From r/hunting

How/when did you start hunting solo?

a couple months out of the year to drag out bear/deer/elk. Off season training, start shooting the deer with your camera... A great way to g...

reddit.com ↗

My cousin wonders why I never let him hunt at my farm and ...

In their county they're allowed to only kill does on specified days that only happen once or twice a season. Where I'm at a deer bundle lice...

reddit.com ↗

Woman who hunt : r/Hunting

My daughter's both use 308s. They have both killed several deer and elk using 165gr handloads. Yes, they also load their own ammo. The oldes...

reddit.com ↗

My First Archery Elk, First Mule Deer, and Second Pope ...

A 74 degree November evening in Wisconsin, shooting lane at about 20 yards. Latest deer from an early open archery season. first public land...

reddit.com ↗

SponsorAffiliate link: we earn a commission if you buy. Your price is the same.

Ravin Crossbows

Hunting Wyoming elk or Kansas whitetail? Ravin's R500 is rated at 500 feet per second.

See Ravin crossbows →

About this sponsor

Ravin sells it on rifle-style accuracy and HeliCoil cams. Those are Ravin's specs, not our test results. If your move comes with a hunting license, price this one first, and check the season dates on this page before you buy.

Jobs & Economy

Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS

▾

Job Openings Rate (JOLTS)

Near US average (~4.5%)

4.5%

Quits Rate (JOLTS)

Workers quit when they can find better; BLS 2024 average

1.9%

Job Market

+1% job growth · 3.2% unemployment

Moderate

Top Industries

ManufacturingHealthcareAgriculture

Tech Jobs

#26 of 50

Healthcare Jobs

#13 of 50

Remote Work

18% of workers

Median Household Income

$75,670

Union Membership

Below-average union presence (BLS 2025)

6.4% of workers

Business Climate

Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings

▾

Corporate Income Tax

7.9%

LLC Formation Fee

$130 one-time

LLC Annual Fee

$25/yr

Business Climate Rank

#31 of 50

Daily Life

Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS

▾

Gas Price (Regular)

Below avg (-0.16 vs national avg)

$3.14/gal

Consumer Fireworks

Consumer fireworks legal since 2022

Legal

Motorcycle Helmet Law

Required under 18 (IIHS 2026)

Age-Limited

Weather & Natural Risks

Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI

▾

Winter Severity

Avg January high: 22°F

Harsh

Summer Heat

Moderate summers

81°F avg July

Annual Rainfall

32" / yr

Tornado Risk

Low

Hurricane Risk

Very Low

Wildfire Risk

Low

Flood Risk

Low

Natural Hazards

Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023

▾

21LOW danger

Mosquito density: legendaryLyme disease zonePolar vortex wintersDeer tick density HIGH

Venomous Snakes

Low

Spider Hazard

Low

Hurricane Risk

Minimal

Tornado Risk

Moderate

Wildfire Risk

Low

Earthquake Risk

Minimal

Danger score is a composite index. Methodology ↗

Veteran Benefits

Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation

▾

Veteran-Friendly Score

6.6% of state population are veterans

77/100

Property Tax Exemption

Disabled vet property tax credit

Partial

Military Retirement Pay

Tax Exempt

Active Duty Pay

Tax Exempt

VA Facilities Access

Good

Notable Benefits

Military retirement fully exempt since 2022

Explore Wisconsin counties

Income, housing, poverty, healthcare — ranked by county

Explore Counties

See your full cost of living in Wisconsin

Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance — all estimated.

Calculate

Compare Similar States

WI vs SC

Wisconsin vs South Carolina

COL 93 vs 93 · 7.65% vs 6.2% income tax

Full comparison →

WI vs NC

Wisconsin vs North Carolina

COL 93 vs 94 · 7.65% vs 4.5% income tax

Full comparison →

WI vs TN

Wisconsin vs Tennessee

COL 93 vs 92 · 7.65% vs No income tax

Full comparison →

WI vs GA

Wisconsin vs Georgia

COL 93 vs 91 · 7.65% vs 5.49% income tax

Full comparison →

Trending in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Republicans are heading to a midterm convention. What is that? - wpr.org

wpr.org · Sep 8

Wisconsin governor's race: Act 10 debate - FOX6 News Milwaukee

FOX6 News Milwaukee · Sep 8

Wisconsin reduced homelessness for years but rising housing pressure threatens to reverse that progress - Milwaukee Independent

Milwaukee Independent · Sep 8

Wisconsin Candidates For Governor Talk Act 10, Right to Work On Labor Day - MacIver Institute

MacIver Institute · Sep 8

Fond du Lac-area voters, here's what to know about Nov. 3 referendums - fdlreporter.com

fdlreporter.com · Sep 8

What Residents Say

People of Wisconsin and Milwaukee I'd like to know what ...

Do you see the area growing in a positive way? Also how’s the job market? Are you worried about turning into a Chicago via taxes? How’s raising ......

reddit.com ↗

Moving to Wisconsin : r/wisconsin

Quiet, close to the city, good food options, and low property taxes ... cost you $1,930, you would have to connect through Chicago on every ......

reddit.com ↗

What you need to know before moving to Wisconsin

their taxes don't go up (which is what is going to happen), it would cost you $1,930,...

reddit.com ↗

Considering moving from Colorado to Wisconsin

Wisconsin has relatively low cost of living overall. Taxes are somewhat high compared to other states but we're one of the few states with no ......

reddit.com ↗

Hi, im moving to Milwaukee soon from NC. Can anyone ...

Also just curious what the housing costs are there on average. I know where I live a decent 3 bed house is around 500k starting and that’s partially why ......

reddit.com ↗

Moving to Wisconsin & buying a house; got any good tips?

Taxes are slightly higher in the City. you might get caught in the taxes, not entirely sure. And housing in those should be doable for your ......

reddit.com ↗

Study says Wisconsin losing more college-educated ...

Miserable tax & relatively speaking high cost of living due to tax code for high income earners. Why make 90k-120k in WI when you can make ......

reddit.com ↗

Considering a move from Phoenix to Wisconsin (Eau Claire)

And it's gotten way too expensive for what you pay for (and the job market blows ass and hardly anything keeps up with the cost of living)....

reddit.com ↗

Sell Me On Racine! (Can I get a huge tax break for moving ...

Not many people move in the colder months (Nov - Mar) and you'll find less of a selection of apartments / houses this time of year. The Kenosha- ......

reddit.com ↗

Moving to WI possibly. : r/wisconsin

If you want cheaper/lower property taxes but you want to be fairly close to Madison/Milwaukee/Chicago, there are some options. Janesville is nice, with two ......

reddit.com ↗

Wisconsin will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.

One email when Wisconsin changes a tax, gun, cannabis or abortion law. Unsubscribe in one click.

Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund 2023; life expectancy from County Health Rankings 2024. Education: Education Week 2023. Housing: Zillow monthly index and Census ACS 2022. Insurance: rate surveys 2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.