MAIN Home Life House & Home Moving Wisconsin

Bordered by the Midwestern states of Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois, as well as Lakes Michigan and Lake Superior, the "Dairy State" is best known historically for its acres of diary farms as well as lumber, mining and manufacturing.

Today, health care and education are also leading contributors to the Wisconsin economy with major employers that include the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the Marshfield Clinic and Aurora Health Care.

Greater Milwaukee, the state's largest metro area, is also home to the international headquarters of 14 Fortune 1000 companies, including Johnson Controls, Northwestern Mutual, Kohl's, Harley-Davidson, Rockwell Automation, Wisconsin Energy, Briggs & Stratton, Joy Global, Bucyrus International, A.O. Smith, and GE Healthcare.

In addition, Wisconsin tourism remains a major industry in the state boasting five forest-covered national parks, beautiful lake resorts, and spectacularly scenic Door Peninsula extending off the state's eastern shoreline.

Wisconsin quality-of-life statistics

Cost of Living: Sperling's Best Places - Wisconsin - Compared to the rest of the country, Wisconsin's cost of living is 12.21% lower than the U.S. average

Property Taxes : Wisconsin Tax Climate - Wisconsin's combined per capita collection amounts to $1,350, raking it 11th highest nationally.

Personal Income Taxes : Wisconsin imposes an income tax with rates ranging from 4.6 percent to 7.75 percent over five income tax brackets, depending on income and filing status. Residents must file state taxes using Form 1 each year by April 15.

Housing & Real Estate Overview : also see Zillow - Wisconsin Real Estate
Home ownership rate : 68.4%
Average home price : $199,563
Average travel time to work : 20.8 minutes

Schools : Currently, Wisconsin's public schools rank among the top in the nation for elementary math, science and reading scores. However, the state has spearheaded a national movement toward union busting among teachers and civil service workers, and is currently in the process of making deep cuts to the Wisconsin education budget. Also see Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Weather : Generally warm in the summer and cold and snowy in the winter, Wisconsin snowfalls are especially heavy in areas prone to lake effect snows from nearby Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.

Crime : see Wisconsin Crime Rates

also see -> Wisconsin taxes | Wisconsin eviction laws

Wisconsin shopping outlets | Wisconsin beaches | Wisconsin tourism

Wisconsin fall foliage | Wisconsin kids party locations

More about relocating to Wisconsin around the Web:

Moving to Wisconsin - Guide from the official state portal with Top Ten reasons for living in Wisconsin, links to cost of living calculators, housing & real estate costs, schools & childcare, jobs & employment, state tax information and related resources.

Milwaukee Relocation and Moving Information - Guide to jobs & employment, home buying & building, neighborhoods, local bus, rail & air transportation, area attractions, Milwaukee fun facts.

Madison, Wisconsin Official City website - One-stop browsing for information on housing assistance programs & other city services, city jobs & employment, maps & local bus routes, neighborhood guides, parks & libraries, and related resources.

Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Newcomers Website - Comprehensive resources for those considering a move to the city with information on cost of living, community services, schools, jobs & employment, housing & real estate, area & nearby attractions, arts & entertainment.

Living in Racine, Wisconsin - Helpful portal with links & information on local news, cultural and entertainment events, real estate, public libraries, parks, beaches and related guides.

Wisconsin real estate, apartments & job classifieds:

Milwaukee : Journal Sentinel | Gazette
Madison : Capital Times | Wisconsin State Journal
Racine : Journal Times
Green Bay : Press-Gazette