Compare states / Texas / to Wisconsin
TX → WI
Moving from Texas to Wisconsin
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
Texas vs Wisconsin using the same fields as the all-states table. Green and red mark the destination figure when it differs.
| Texas | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 0.0% | 7.65% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 8.20% | 5.72% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.68% | 1.61% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No | No |
| Median home value | $304,099 | $338,665 |
| Tax when you title a car | 6.25% | 5.00% |
| State parks | 89 | 50 |
| National parks | 2 | 0 |
| Population density | 123.0/sq mi | 111.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 389.4 | 278.5 |
| Demographics | 39.6% White (non-Hispanic) 40.2% Hispanic 13.3% Black 5.4% 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 Texas to Wisconsin?
Texas: No personal income tax. Wisconsin: Top listed rate 7.65%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $0 in Texas vs $5,756 in Wisconsin. If you earned in both states this year, see TX tax agency and WI tax agency.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Texas to Wisconsin?
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 0.0% 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 Texas 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. Texas plates are not a substitute for Wisconsin registration once the title clock runs out.
Checklist for new Wisconsin residents from Texas
- Get a WI driver license within 60 days. Bring your TX 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. TX tax agency · WI tax agency.
- Both Texas 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 Texas to Wisconsin
- Wisconsin taxes wages (top listed 7.65%). Texas does not tax wages.
- New Wisconsin residents typically have 60 days to get a driver license (30 days is the Texas window in this file).
- Title the car in Wisconsin within 30 days. Texas 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 Texas?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 8.20% in Texas 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 Texas to Wisconsin?
Texas does not tax wages; Wisconsin taxes wages (top listed 7.65%). Moving this direction usually means a new or higher state income-tax bill. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $0 in Texas 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 Texas vs Wisconsin?
Texas has 89 state parks and 2 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 Texas?
Population density is 123.0 people per square mile in Texas vs 111.0 in Wisconsin.
How do Texas and Wisconsin compare on demographics?
Texas: 39.6% White (non-Hispanic), 40.2% Hispanic, 13.3% Black, 5.4% 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 → Texas.
California → Texas · Illinois → Texas · New York → Texas · Minnesota → Wisconsin · Colorado → Texas
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