Compare states / Minnesota → Wisconsin
MN → WI
Compare Minnesota and Wisconsin
Minnesota’s top income-tax rate of 9.85% is 2.2 points above Wisconsin’s 7.65%; at $120,000 of single-filer income the bracket estimate is $7,788 a year versus $5,756. Median home values are similar: $354,374 in Minnesota and $338,665 in Wisconsin. Minnesota has the higher average combined sales tax (8.14% vs 5.72%), while Wisconsin has the higher effective property-tax rate (1.32% vs 1.00%). Minnesota taxes some Social Security benefits; Wisconsin does not.
Moving the other way (Wisconsin to Minnesota)? The same numbers apply—swap the columns.
Deadlines and checklists on this page are for arriving in Wisconsin; for Minnesota, see the Minnesota page.
Data: Minnesota (revenue.state.mn.us, dps.mn.gov); Wisconsin (revenue.wi.gov, wisconsindot.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
| Minnesota | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 9.85% | 7.65% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 8.14% | 5.72% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.00% | 1.32% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Yes — 1.58% effective | No |
| Social Security tax | Partial — AGI phaseout | No |
| Estate tax | Yes — $3M exemption | No |
| Inheritance tax | No | No |
| Minimum wage | $11.41 | $7.25 |
| Median home value | $354,374 | $338,665 |
| Tax when you title a car | 6.88% | 5.00% |
| State parks | 64 | 50 |
| National parks | 1 | 0 |
| Population density | 74.0/sq mi | 111.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 256.6 | 278.5 |
| Demographics | 76.9% White (non-Hispanic) 6.1% Hispanic 7.0% Black 5.2% 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 | 60 | 30 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Minnesota to Wisconsin?
Minnesota: Top listed rate 9.85%. Wisconsin: Top listed rate 7.65%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $7,788 in Minnesota vs $5,756 in Wisconsin. If you earned in both states this year, see MN tax agency and WI tax agency.
Estimate your state income tax in Minnesota and Wisconsin
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 9.85% 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 residents of Wisconsin 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, estimated state charges 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 Minnesota 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. Minnesota plates are not a substitute for Wisconsin registration once the title clock runs out.
New-resident checklist: Minnesota to Wisconsin
- Get a WI driver license within 60 days. Bring your MN 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. MN tax agency · WI tax agency.
- Wisconsin is in the nurse compact; Minnesota is not. You may still need a WI license if you change primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from Minnesota to Wisconsin
- Top listed income-tax rate: 9.85% in Minnesota vs 7.65% in Wisconsin (lower in Wisconsin).
- New residents of Wisconsin typically have 60 days to get a driver license (in Minnesota, the window is 30 days).
- Wisconsin does not tax Social Security benefits. Minnesota still taxes some (Partial — AGI phaseout).
- Wisconsin has no state estate tax. Minnesota does (Yes — $3M exemption).
- Title the car in Wisconsin within 30 days. Minnesota plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
Common questions
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Minnesota to Wisconsin?
The top listed rate goes down: 9.85% in Minnesota vs 7.65% in Wisconsin. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $7,788 in Minnesota 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.
Will I stop paying state tax on Social Security if I move from Minnesota to Wisconsin?
Minnesota: Partial — AGI phaseout. Simplified method: full subtraction if AGI is below $84,490 (single or head of household) or $108,320 (joint); phases out 10% per $4,000 of AGI above those levels ($2,000 for married filing separately over $54,160). An alternative method based on provisional income is also available. Wisconsin: No. Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. Federal tax on benefits can still apply in either state.
Does Wisconsin drop the state estate tax I would have in Minnesota?
Minnesota: Yes — $3M exemption. Minnesota requires an estate tax return when the gross estate exceeds $3 million. Rates range from 13% to 16%. A qualified small-business or farm-property deduction may also apply. Wisconsin: No. No state estate tax. Federal estate tax can still apply in either state.
Does Wisconsin drop the vehicle personal-property tax I would pay in Minnesota?
Minnesota lists a vehicle personal-property tax (1.58% effective). Wisconsin does not have one. Tab fee includes a value-based tax, about 1.58%.
Can I keep a compact RN license if I move from Minnesota to Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is in the nurse compact; Minnesota is not. You may still need a WI license if you change primary residence.
How does sales tax in Wisconsin compare to Minnesota?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 8.14% in Minnesota vs 5.72% in Wisconsin. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
How much is vehicle sales tax in Wisconsin compared with Minnesota?
Wisconsin title-tax rate used here is 5.00% (6.88% in Minnesota). Title the car in Wisconsin within 30 days (60 days in Minnesota). On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $1,564.50 (county extras omitted).
Related moves
Also see Wisconsin and Minnesota on their own. Moving from Wisconsin to Minnesota instead? This page covers that move too; use “Swap columns” at the top.
Your move
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- Top state income-tax rate. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. Minnesota Social Security tax; Wisconsin does not tax Social Security benefits (WI tax agency).
- Estate tax. Minnesota estate tax; Wisconsin has no state estate tax (WI tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Minnesota has no state inheritance tax (MN tax agency); Wisconsin has no state inheritance tax (WI tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Minnesota $11.41; Wisconsin $7.25.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax when you title a car. Minnesota 6.88%; Wisconsin 5.00%.
- State parks. Minnesota 64; Wisconsin 50. Official designated state parks (historic sites, recreation areas, and similar units omitted).
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; MN 1, WI 0).
- Population density. U.S. Census Bureau PopClock, people per sq. mi. · state population estimates.
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (MN vs WI: White non-Hispanic, Hispanic, Black, Asian).
- Days to get a license. Minnesota 30 days; Wisconsin 60 days.
- Days to title a car. Minnesota 60 days; Wisconsin 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled