Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,024 in Delaware versus $849 in Wisconsin. Overall, Wisconsin runs roughly 17% cheaper on rent than Delaware, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $55,269 in Delaware and $62,546 in Wisconsin — about 12% higher in Wisconsin. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
5%
+5.0 pp in Wisconsin
Income Tax (top rate)
6.60%
7.65%
+1.1 pp in Wisconsin
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,024
$849
+17% in Delaware
Median Home Value
$224,500
$191,500
+15% in Delaware
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$55,269
$62,546
+13% in Wisconsin
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
54.9°F
46.5°F
+8.4°F in Delaware
Delaware vs Wisconsin — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Delaware or Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $849 runs about 17% below Delaware's $1,024, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Delaware than in Wisconsin?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Delaware versus $34,000 in Wisconsin.
- Which has lower taxes, Delaware or Wisconsin?
- Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Delaware/Wisconsin — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.