Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,440 in Oregon versus $849 in Wisconsin. Overall, Wisconsin runs roughly 41% cheaper on rent than Oregon, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $88,792 in Oregon and $51,888 in Wisconsin — about 42% higher in Oregon. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
5%
+5.0 pp in Wisconsin
Income Tax (top rate)
9.90%
7.65%
+2.3 pp in Oregon
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,440
$849
+41% in Oregon
Median Home Value
$557,600
$172,000
+69% in Oregon
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$88,792
$51,888
+42% in Oregon
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
54.5°F
47.9°F
+6.6°F in Oregon
Oregon vs Wisconsin — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Oregon or Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $849 runs about 41% below Oregon's $1,440, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Oregon 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 $58,000 a year in Oregon versus $34,000 in Wisconsin.
- Which has lower taxes, Oregon or Wisconsin?
- Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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 Oregon/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.