Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,858 in Washington versus $849 in Wisconsin. Overall, Wisconsin runs roughly 54% cheaper on rent than Washington, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $121,984 in Washington and $51,888 in Wisconsin — about 57% higher in Washington. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
5%
+1.5 pp in Washington
Income Tax (top rate)
None
7.65%
+7.7 pp in Wisconsin
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,858
$849
+54% in Washington
Median Home Value
$912,100
$172,000
+81% in Washington
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$121,984
$51,888
+57% in Washington
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
53.5°F
47.9°F
+5.6°F in Washington
Washington vs Wisconsin — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Washington or Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $849 runs about 54% below Washington's $1,858, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Washington 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 $74,000 a year in Washington versus $34,000 in Wisconsin.
- Which has lower taxes, Washington or Wisconsin?
- Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% 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 Washington/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.