Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,059 in Ohio versus $849 in Wisconsin. Overall, Wisconsin runs roughly 20% cheaper on rent than Ohio, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $65,327 in Ohio and $51,888 in Wisconsin — about 21% higher in Ohio. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5.75%
5%
+0.8 pp in Ohio
Income Tax (top rate)
2.75%
7.65%
+4.9 pp in Wisconsin
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,059
$849
+20% in Ohio
Median Home Value
$234,500
$172,000
+27% in Ohio
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$65,327
$51,888
+21% in Ohio
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.7°F
47.9°F
+4.8°F in Ohio
Ohio vs Wisconsin — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Ohio or Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $849 runs about 20% below Ohio's $1,059, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Ohio 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 $42,000 a year in Ohio versus $34,000 in Wisconsin.
- Which has lower taxes, Ohio or Wisconsin?
- Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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 Ohio/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.