Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $866 in Missouri versus $849 in Wisconsin. Overall, Wisconsin runs roughly 2% cheaper on rent than Missouri, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $55,279 in Missouri and $62,546 in Wisconsin — about 12% higher in Wisconsin. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.225%
5%
+0.8 pp in Wisconsin
Income Tax (top rate)
4.70%
7.65%
+3.0 pp in Wisconsin
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$866
$849
+2% in Missouri
Median Home Value
$185,100
$191,500
+3% in Wisconsin
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$55,279
$62,546
+13% in Wisconsin
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
56.3°F
46.5°F
+9.8°F in Missouri
Missouri vs Wisconsin — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Missouri or Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $849 runs about 2% below Missouri's $866, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Missouri 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 $35,000 a year in Missouri versus $34,000 in Wisconsin.
- Which has lower taxes, Missouri or Wisconsin?
- Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% 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 Missouri/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.