Pros And Cons Of Living In Wisconsin From A Local (2024)
Discover the pros and cons of living in Wisconsin.
Are you thinking of moving to the beautiful state of Wisconsin? From its stunning natural beauty to its vibrant cities, Wisconsin is definitely an interesting place to live. As with any place, there are of course both pros and cons of living in Wisconsin.
As a local who has lived in Wisconsin for several years, I’ve learned all about the things to consider before moving here: including information on the quality of life, cost of living, job opportunities, and what there is to do in your free time.
Based on my experience as a local, I have reviewed all of the pros and cons of living in Wisconsin to help you decide if Wisconsin is going to be a great place for you to move to!
Pros And Cons Of Living In Wisconsin
There are many things to consider before moving, and below you will find a list of 13 pros and 5 cons of living in Wisconsin.
PRO 1: High Quality of Life
One of the biggest pros to living in Wisconsin is the high quality of life that you can find here.
Wisconsin is filled with lots of great communities, from its bigger cities like Milwaukee to its smaller towns and rural areas.
After living in Wisconsin, I can definitely say that the state has a very high standard of living – from its friendly communities, good job opportunities, and a top-notch education system. Plus, it is a safe, but affordable place to live.
Additionally, there are so many things to do in Wisconsin, especially outdoors. The amount of outdoor recreational activities like swimming, hiking, and more makes Wisconsin an enjoyable place to live. It really adds to the high quality of life that you get from living here.
PRO 2: Friendly People
The Midwest is known for its friendly and welcoming locals, and Wisconsin is no different. Midwest values center around being polite and helpful to others, whether the person is a local or a visitor.
People are incredibly friendly in Wisconsin, and it is common for people to smile, wave, and make small talk with each other.
The friendliness of the locals is a huge positive to making a move to Wisconsin, as it will help you feel accepted and welcomed into your new community.
PRO 3: Affordable Place to Live
One major benefit to living in Wisconsin is that the state is still an affordable place to live in the US, especially compared to other states like California or New York.
Currently, the price of an average home in Wisconsin is around $279,000, which is much more affordable than the national average which is currently around $417,000.
Everyday activities such as grocery shopping, going out to eat, and doing fun activities are much more affordable in Wisconsin than compared to bigger cities in the US.
The affordability of living in Wisconsin is a huge benefit, as it is much easier to go out and enjoy life. Plus, there are also many fun free things to do in Wisconsin like spending the day at the beach or going hiking.
PRO 4: Beautiful Summers
Summertime in Wisconsin is incredible due to the nice weather, beautiful outdoors, and plenty of activities available.
The weather in Wisconsin is warm and sunny during the summer, with averages between 54°-83° F. This is the perfect temperature for outdoor activities like hiking or camping. Wisconsin also borders two of the Great Lakes and is home to around 15,000 inland lakes.
The large amount of lakes plus the warm weather means summer in Wisconsin is perfect for swimming, fishing, or boating.
PRO 5: Top-Rated Education
Education in Wisconsin is highly-rated, for both K-12 public Education and higher education.
According to a report by US News, Wisconsin is the #6 state when it comes to public education in the US. In recent years, the graduation rate in Wisconsin has been as high as 90.4%, which is higher than the national average of 86.4%.
Wisconsin also has great opportunities for higher education, including both 2-year colleges and 4-year universities like the University of Wisconsin. Currently, the state of Wisconsin rates number 4 in the country for having high graduation rates for 2-year colleges.
PRO 6: Safety
When moving to a new place, safety is always a big factor to consider. The good news is that Wisconsin is a very safe state to live in, especially within the smaller towns and communities.
Even the larger cities in Wisconsin tend to be much safer compared to other big cities throughout the United States.
On average the crime rates in Wisconsin are slightly lower than the national average, which again shows that Wisconsin is a safe place to live and visit.
As someone who has lived in Wisconsin for several years, I have always felt very comfortable and safe here.
PRO 7: Four Seasons
While the summers are certainly a highlight in Wisconsin, the other seasons are also quite enjoyable. So, if you are someone that wants to enjoy all four seasons then Wisconsin is sure to be a great place to live.
Fall is especially beautiful in Wisconsin, as the colorful fall foliage takes over the forested areas of the state. Spring is also very pretty, as the green areas come back to life and the flowers start to bloom.
Last but not least, there are many fun activities to do in Wisconsin during winter, including downhill skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, sledding, and more. It is also a perfect time to cozy up with a warm cup of hot chocolate and watch the snow fall outside.
PRO 8: Family-Friendly
From its high-quality education system to its friendly and safe communities, Wisconsin is the perfect place to raise kids.
The state is very family-friendly, and there are also plenty of fun activities for families in Wisconsin. One of the most popular spots to take kids is Wisconsin Dells, which is the capital of waterparks in the US.
Additionally, Wisconsin has many family-friendly outdoor activities so that kids can enjoy spending time outside. From camping to learning how to fish, there are plenty of things for families to do outdoors.
PRO 9: Natural Beauty
One of the best parts about Wisconsin is its untouched nature, which is filled with natural beauty.
There are so many beautiful places in Wisconsin, with its rolling hills and countryside, forest and woodland areas, numerous state and county parks, and of course, its 15,000 inland lakes.
Wisconsin’s natural beauty makes it a perfect state for hiking, with plenty of trails where you can explore the scenic nature and enjoy being outdoors.
PRO 10: Plenty of Job Opportunities
One good thing about living in Wisconsin is that there are plenty of job opportunities for a variety of different industries.
Some of the top sectors for job opportunities in Wisconsin include Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare, Education, Financial Services, Technology, and Tourism and Hospitality.
Depending on the type of job, most of the opportunities will be closer to the larger cities such as Milwaukee and Madison. The good news is that even if you work in the city it is just a short drive to enjoy some of the outdoor recreational activities in Wisconsin.
PRO 11: Food Scene
Wisconsin has a diverse and flavorful food scene, especially in the larger cities. Historically, the state was influenced by Polish and German immigrants, so you can find some delicious dishes of bratwurst, pierogi, kielbasa, and sauerkraut throughout the state.
One of the foods Wisconsin is most known for is its variety of cheeses, including cheddar, Colby, Swiss, and more. A must-try item is also the Wisconsin Cheese Curds, which are a tasty fried treat.
Craft beer and breweries have also become popular in Wisconsin. Especially in the city of Milwaukee, you will find many breweries with different beer styles.
PRO 12: Sports Culture
Sports fans will love the state of Wisconsin, as there are plenty of sporting events and teams to root for, both at the professional and college levels.
The Green Bay Packers are an iconic NFL team, and going to a home game at Lambeau Field is sure to be an exciting experience.
Additionally, Wisconsin is home to the Milwaukee Bucks NBA team and the Milwaukee Brewers MLB team.
Other sports that are popular in Wisconsin include hockey, car racing, and even Wisconsin rodeos. There is truly a sport for everyone to enjoy in the state of Wisconsin.
PRO 13: Festivals & Events
Another benefit to living in Wisconsin is the number of festivals, concerts, and events that take place here.
Wisconsin has a bit of everything, from small events like farmer’s markets, craft fairs, and
cultural events, to major music festivals and the yearly state fair.
One of the biggest and most popular events in Wisconsin is Summerfest, which is an annual music festival held in downtown Milwaukee. Summerfest is one of the largest music festivals in the US. Recently Summerfest music festival featured over 1,000 performances by more than 250 artists on 12 stages.
Another major event in Wisconsin is the 11-day-long Wisconsin State Fair. The fair is held on a 200-acre fairground and features a variety of fun activities, entertainment, and competitions.
CON 1: The Cold Winters
While there are many pros to living in Wisconsin, there are also some cons. One of the biggest cons is the cold, snowy winters.
One thing to know about winter in Wisconsin is that it can get very cold, with average
temperatures in January around 8°-27°F.
Wisconsin can also get quite a bit of snow, with cities like Madison averaging around 53 inches of snow per year. Winter in Wisconsin can also mean snowstorms, icy roads, and frigid temperatures.
However, along with the cold and snowy winters, you also have so many fun winter activities to enjoy. So if you like things like skiing, snowboarding, and sledding, you may not mind the snow so much!
CON 2: High Property Taxes
While Wisconsin is considered an affordable state to live and buy a home in, one of the things to know before moving to Wisconsin, is that the property taxes do tend to be higher compared to other states.
The recent US Census listed Wisconsin as having a property tax rate of 1.61%, which puts
Wisconsin in the number 8 spot for the states with the highest property tax rates in the country.
While the property tax is higher, keep in mind that on average the housing prices are still lower compared to many other states.
CON 3: High Traffic in Cities
Like many places, Wisconsin can experience congested traffic in urban areas, especially in the cities of Milwaukee and Madison. Traffic tends to be the worst around morning and evening rush hours, and can also be worse during the summer months when there is road construction taking place.
However, towns and rural areas don’t experience very much traffic, so it is easy and stress-free to travel around different areas of Wisconsin.
CON 4: Limited Public Transportation
To get around Wisconsin, you will likely need a car as there isn’t much in terms of major public transportation. This is especially true in smaller towns and more rural areas of Wisconsin.
There is public transportation within the cities of Milwaukee and Madison, but this public
transportation is mostly within the city itself and doesn’t connect to surrounding areas.
CON 5: Mosquitos and Ticks
Wisconsin is home to many lakes, rivers, and forests, and because of this, it is also home to many bugs. In general, bugs are typically an annoyance during the summer months, when temperatures are warm.
The biggest bugs to look out for are ticks and mosquitos. Both ticks and mosquitos are common around forested areas and near bodies of water, so it is important to wear bug spray when exploring the outdoors in Wisconsin.
Reasons To Move To Wisconsin
There are many reasons to move to Wisconsin, but below is a short list of the best reasons to move to the Badger State.
✅ Affordable living – Housing costs, groceries, and other everyday expenses are affordable in Wisconsin so it is easy to enjoy life here.
✅ Good public education – The K-12 public school system is highly rated in Wisconsin, and students have higher than average graduation rates.
✅ Job opportunities – There are many different job opportunities for a variety of industries in Wisconsin, which adds to the stability of moving here.
✅ Four seasons – Wisconsin experiences all four seasons, which means you get to enjoy all kinds of different activities from skiing in the winter to camping in the summer.
✅ Family-friendly communities – There are many great communities in Wisconsin, from
smaller towns to larger cities, with plenty of kid-friendly spaces and activities.
✅ Beautiful nature – There are 15,000 inland lakes in Wisconsin, plus plenty of forests, hiking trails, and parks to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful natural scenery.
✅ Outdoor recreation – Wisconsin has many outdoor recreational activities, including
kayaking, fishing, hunting, hiking, boating, skiing, and more.
✅ Things to do – Wisconsin has many things to do, including waterparks, cultural events,
music festivals, museums, and more, so you will be sure to enjoy your weekends and free time.
Wisconsin Cost Of Living
Wisconsin is considered an affordable place to live. The cost of living in Wisconsin is
comparable to other mid-western states such as Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio.
If you are coming from states like California or New York, or even larger nearby cities like
Chicago, then you will likely find the cost of living to be much more affordable in Wisconsin.
According to recent US Census data, the average household income in Wisconsin is around $70k, which is almost equal to the national average of $74k. However, the average home price in Wisconsin is around $279k versus the national average of $417k, which shows that the cost of living is still affordable in Wisconsin.
Living in Wisconsin: FAQ
Wisconsin is one of the best places to live in the United States for a high quality of life. Living in Wisconsin is ideal for those who love the outdoors, but also want to enjoy low-cost living, affordable housing, safe and family-friendly neighborhoods, and plenty of job opportunities.
One of the disadvantages of living in Wisconsin is the cold, snowy winters. While there are lots of fun winter activities, the snow also comes with downsides like frigid temperatures, icy roads, and having to shovel snow off your driveway. Other disadvantages of living in Wisconsin include higher property taxes, limited public transportation, urban traffic, and lots of mosquitos.
Before moving to Wisconsin, make sure to know about its four-season climate, including the cold winters. Once you move to Wisconsin, you can expect a welcoming community that enjoys sports, festivals, and delicious food. You will also want to take time to explore all the outdoor activities, from the beautiful lakes to the hiking trails.
The people of Wisconsin are known for being friendly, welcoming, and happy. As with most mid-western states, kindness and being polite are valued in Wisconsin, which adds to the overall friendliness of the local population.
Final Thoughts: Wisconsin Pros & Cons
There are many pros and cons of living in Wisconsin that are worth considering. In my
experience, the pros outweigh the cons, and I have really enjoyed living in Wisconsin.
One of the best pros to living in Wisconsin is nature, as there are so many outdoor activities that can be done year-round. I love to go hiking in Wisconsin Dells or visit one of Wisconsin’s clear lakes, and so having the ability to do that is one reason I love living in Wisconsin.
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