Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $782 in Indiana versus $849 in Wisconsin. Overall, Indiana runs roughly 8% cheaper on rent than Wisconsin, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $60,293 in Indiana and $62,546 in Wisconsin — about 4% higher in Wisconsin. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
7%
5%
+2.0 pp in Indiana
Income Tax (top rate)
2.95%
7.65%
+4.7 pp in Wisconsin
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$782
$849
+9% in Wisconsin
Median Home Value
$169,700
$191,500
+13% in Wisconsin
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$60,293
$62,546
+4% in Wisconsin
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
53.2°F
46.5°F
+6.7°F in Indiana
Indiana vs Wisconsin — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Indiana or Wisconsin?
- Indiana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $782 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 Indiana 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 Indiana versus $34,000 in Wisconsin.
- Which has lower taxes, Indiana or Wisconsin?
- Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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 Indiana/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.