Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $963 in Indiana versus $849 in Wisconsin. Overall, Wisconsin runs roughly 12% cheaper on rent than Indiana, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $62,995 in Indiana and $51,888 in Wisconsin — about 18% higher in Indiana. 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
$963
$849
+12% in Indiana
Median Home Value
$207,000
$172,000
+17% in Indiana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$62,995
$51,888
+18% in Indiana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
53.2°F
47.9°F
+5.3°F in Indiana
Indiana vs Wisconsin — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Indiana or Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $849 runs about 12% below Indiana's $963, 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 $39,000 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 1/1 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.