Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $777 in Iowa versus $849 in Wisconsin. Overall, Iowa runs roughly 8% cheaper on rent than Wisconsin, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $64,497 in Iowa and $62,546 in Wisconsin — about 3% higher in Iowa. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
5%
+1.0 pp in Iowa
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
7.65%
+3.9 pp in Wisconsin
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$777
$849
+9% in Wisconsin
Median Home Value
$177,100
$191,500
+8% in Wisconsin
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$64,497
$62,546
+3% in Iowa
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
49.3°F
46.5°F
+2.8°F in Iowa
Iowa vs Wisconsin — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Wisconsin?
- Iowa is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $777 runs about 8% below Wisconsin's $849, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Iowa 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 $31,000 a year in Iowa versus $34,000 in Wisconsin.
- Which has lower taxes, Iowa or Wisconsin?
- Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% 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 3/3 cities we track in Iowa/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.