Minnesota vs Wisconsin
On a $100,000 income and each state’s median home, Wisconsin costs about $1,256 less per year in state income and property tax combined.
Where the gap is widest
The largest difference between Minnesota and Wisconsin is max weekly unemployment ($948 vs $370).
- Max weekly unemployment: Wisconsin is lower ($948 vs $370)
- Avg home insurance: Wisconsin is lower ($1,988 vs $923)
- Minimum wage: Wisconsin is lower ($11.41 vs $7.25)
- State sales tax: Wisconsin is lower (6.88% vs 5.00%)
- Effective property tax: Minnesota is lower (1.00% vs 1.32%)
Side by side
| Measure | Minnesota | Wisconsin | Which is higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max weekly unemployment | $948 | $370 | MN higher |
| Avg home insurance | $1,988 | $923 | MN higher |
| Minimum wage | $11.41 | $7.25 | MN higher |
| State sales tax | 6.88% | 5.00% | MN higher |
| Effective property tax | 1.00% | 1.32% | WI higher |
| Top income tax rate | 9.85% | 7.65% | MN higher |
| Income tax on $100k | $9,850 | $7,650 | MN higher |
| Property tax on median home | $3,570 | $4,514 | WI higher |
| Median 2BR rent | $1,504 | $1,287 | MN higher |
| Median household income | $87,117 | $77,488 | MN higher |
| Median home price | $357,000 | $342,000 | MN higher |
| Cost of living index | 93.4 | 97.4 | WI higher |
State income tax by income level
| Income | Minnesota | Wisconsin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $2,955 | $2,295 | +$660 |
| $40,000 | $3,940 | $3,060 | +$880 |
| $50,000 | $4,925 | $3,825 | +$1,100 |
| $60,000 | $5,910 | $4,590 | +$1,320 |
| $75,000 | $7,387 | $5,738 | +$1,650 |
| $90,000 | $8,865 | $6,885 | +$1,980 |
| $100,000 | $9,850 | $7,650 | +$2,200 |
| $125,000 | $12,312 | $9,563 | +$2,750 |
| $150,000 | $14,775 | $11,475 | +$3,300 |
| $175,000 | $17,238 | $13,388 | +$3,850 |
| $200,000 | $19,700 | $15,300 | +$4,400 |
| $250,000 | $24,625 | $19,125 | +$5,500 |
| $300,000 | $29,550 | $22,950 | +$6,600 |
| $400,000 | $39,400 | $30,600 | +$8,800 |
| $500,000 | $49,250 | $38,250 | +$11,000 |
Property tax by home value
| Home value | Minnesota | Wisconsin | Annual gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $1,500 | $1,980 | $480 |
| $200,000 | $2,000 | $2,640 | $640 |
| $250,000 | $2,500 | $3,300 | $800 |
| $300,000 | $3,000 | $3,960 | $960 |
| $400,000 | $4,000 | $5,280 | $1,280 |
| $500,000 | $5,000 | $6,600 | $1,600 |
| $600,000 | $6,000 | $7,920 | $1,920 |
| $750,000 | $7,500 | $9,900 | $2,400 |
| $900,000 | $9,000 | $11,880 | $2,880 |
| $1,200,000 | $12,000 | $15,840 | $3,840 |
Cumulative difference over time
| Period | Total difference | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $1,256 | Wisconsin ahead |
| 2 years | $2,511 | Wisconsin ahead |
| 3 years | $3,767 | Wisconsin ahead |
| 5 years | $6,278 | Wisconsin ahead |
| 10 years | $12,556 | Wisconsin ahead |
Income tax figures apply each state’s top marginal rate as a simplification and exclude federal tax, local surtaxes and deductions. Property tax uses each state’s effective rate on its own median home. Sources.
Last reviewed 2026-08-26.