Wisconsin
Among the top 25% of US states for safety & wellbeing.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade B+, better than 73% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 49% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B+, better than 75% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B, better than 55% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 69% of US states
- top 8% for unemployment
- top 12% for amenities nearby
- bottom 12% for property tax rate
Wisconsin is a U.S. state with about 5,882,000 residents. It grades B+ for safety & wellbeing and C for weather. Standout strengths include unemployment, amenities nearby, and sales tax. It rates lower on estimated total tax burden and property tax rate.
Official websitewisconsin.gov (opens in new tab)
- The median home value in Wisconsin is $234k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Wisconsin is $74k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Wisconsin is $985 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Wisconsin has a violent crime rate of 823/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Wisconsin is 22 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$74k51st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$46kbetter than 78% of US states
Home Value$234k37th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$985better than 65% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$74kbetter than 59% of US states
Property Tax Rate1.65%better than 12% of US states
Income Tax7.60%better than 20% of US states
Sales Tax5.70%better than 84% of US states
Estimated total tax burden14.71%better than 18% of US states
Unemployment3.4%better than 92% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)20°F10th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)72°F18th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation35.3 in29th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall46.6 inbetter than 25% of US states
Sunny Days203 daysbetter than 20% of US states
Summer Humidity61°Fbetter than 63% of US states
Comfortable Days90 daysbetter than 76% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk78.6better than 59% of US states
Air Quality47 AQIbetter than 46% of US states
School Quality63.3better than 56% of US states
Violent Crime823/100kbetter than 84% of US states
Property Crime1335/100kbetter than 74% of US states
Community
Population5,882,12863rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age40.275th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2822nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0173rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningEven47th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)79.9%78th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)6.1%45th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)7.3%35th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)2.8%51st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.9%35th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time22 minbetter than 78% of US states
Walkability8.7/20better than 49% of US states
Airport Distance70 mibetter than 33% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access87.8%better than 43% of US states
Amenities Nearby7.18better than 88% of US states
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 49% of US states
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Frequently asked questions
- Is Wisconsin an affordable place to live?
- Wisconsin is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $46k, better than 78% of comparable areas. Median rent is $985.
- Is Wisconsin safe?
- Wisconsin is safer than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 823/100k (better than 84%). Property crime is 1335/100k.
- What is the weather like in Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin averages 72°F in July and 20°F in January, with 35.3 in of annual precipitation and about 203 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Wisconsin?
- Public-school quality in Wisconsin is about average, scoring better than 56% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Wisconsin?
- The average one-way commute in Wisconsin is 22 min.