North Carolina vs Wisconsin
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.75%
5%
+0.3 pp in Wisconsin
Income Tax (top rate)
3.99%
7.65%
+3.7 pp in Wisconsin
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,349
$849
+37% in North Carolina
Median Home Value
$364,650
$172,000
+53% in North Carolina
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$80,431
$51,888
+35% in North Carolina
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
60.3°F
47.9°F
+12.4°F in North Carolina
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/1 cities we track in North Carolina/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.