Compare states / Iowa / to Wisconsin
IA → WI
Moving from Iowa to Wisconsin
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
Iowa vs Wisconsin using the same fields as the all-states table. Green and red mark the destination figure when it differs.
| Iowa | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 3.8% | 7.65% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.94% | 5.72% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.53% | 1.61% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Yes — 1.00% effective | No |
| Median home value | $237,481 | $338,665 |
| Tax when you title a car | 6.00% | 5.00% |
| State parks | 61 | 50 |
| National parks | 0 | 0 |
| Population density | 58.0/sq mi | 111.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 243.3 | 278.5 |
| Demographics | 83.1% White (non-Hispanic) 6.8% Hispanic 4.1% Black 2.6% Asian | 79.5% White (non-Hispanic) 7.6% Hispanic 6.4% Black 3.0% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 30 | 60 |
| Days to title a car | 30 | 30 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Iowa to Wisconsin?
Iowa: Top listed rate 3.8%. Wisconsin: Top listed rate 7.65%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $4,560 in Iowa vs $5,756 in Wisconsin. If you earned in both states this year, see IA tax agency and WI tax agency.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Iowa to Wisconsin?
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 3.8% vs 7.65%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in Wisconsin
New Wisconsin residents typically have 30 days to title and register. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally. The title-tax rate used here is 5.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, state charges in the sketch are $1,564.50 (tax $1,400.00 + title $69.50 + registration $85.00 + plate $10.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in Wisconsin
Title fee + plate + base registration + 5.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in Wisconsin
After you become a Wisconsin resident, you typically have 60 days to get a Wisconsin driver license. Bring your Iowa license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Wisconsin. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official Wisconsin DMV. Iowa plates are not a substitute for Wisconsin registration once the title clock runs out.
Checklist for new Wisconsin residents from Iowa
- Get a WI driver license within 60 days. Bring your IA license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Wisconsin (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official Wisconsin DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 15 days before an election. Wisconsin elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. IA tax agency · WI tax agency.
- Both Iowa and Wisconsin are in the nurse compact — a multistate license can follow you. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from Iowa to Wisconsin
- Top listed income-tax rate: 3.8% in Iowa vs 7.65% in Wisconsin (lower in Iowa).
- New Wisconsin residents typically have 60 days to get a driver license (30 days is the Iowa window in this file).
- Iowa lists a vehicle personal-property tax; Wisconsin does not in this file.
- Title the car in Wisconsin within 30 days. Iowa plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
- Wisconsin title-tax rate used here is 5.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, state charges in the sketch are $1,564.50 (county extras omitted).
Common questions
How does sales tax in Wisconsin compare to Iowa?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 6.94% in Iowa vs 5.72% in Wisconsin. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Iowa to Wisconsin?
The top listed rate goes up: 3.8% in Iowa vs 7.65% in Wisconsin. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $4,560 in Iowa vs $5,756 in Wisconsin. Actual bills depend on income, filing status, local tax, credits, and residency timing. This uses 2026 single-filer brackets after a $4,300 exemption per dependent.
How many state and national parks are in Iowa vs Wisconsin?
Iowa has 61 state parks and 0 national parks in this file. Wisconsin has 50 state parks and 0 national parks. State-park counts follow each agency’s own list; national parks are NPS units titled National Park.
How does population density in Wisconsin compare to Iowa?
Population density is 58.0 people per square mile in Iowa vs 111.0 in Wisconsin.
How do Iowa and Wisconsin compare on demographics?
Iowa: 83.1% White (non-Hispanic), 6.8% Hispanic, 4.1% Black, 2.6% Asian. Wisconsin: 79.5% White (non-Hispanic), 7.6% Hispanic, 6.4% Black, 3.0% Asian. These are statewide estimates; cities and counties differ.
Related moves
Also see moving to Wisconsin and the reverse route, Wisconsin → Iowa.
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