Compare states / Wisconsin
WI
Compare Wisconsin with other states
Wisconsin is a mid-sized Midwestern state: about 6.0 million residents, the 21st-largest population, at 111 people per square mile. Its top income-tax rate of 7.65% is the 9th-highest among the 50 states; its average combined sales tax of 5.72% is the 9th-lowest nationally. The median home value, $338,665, ranks 27th-highest of 50.
Data: Wisconsin (revenue.wi.gov, wisconsindot.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 7.65% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 5.72% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.32% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No annual vehicle personal-property tax |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $7.25 (matches the federal rate). |
| Median home value | $338,665 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 5.00% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $69.50 |
| Registration (base) | $85.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 50 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 0 |
| Population | 5,988,406 |
| Population density | 111.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 79.5% White (non-Hispanic) 7.6% Hispanic 6.4% Black 3.0% Asian |
| Violent crime | 278.5 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in Wisconsin
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 7.65%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in Wisconsin
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 5.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in Wisconsin
- Get a WI driver license within 60 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in Wisconsin.
- 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. Wisconsin elections site.
- Nurse license: Wisconsin is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in Wisconsin: September 1. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How Wisconsin compares
Alaska does not tax wages. Wisconsin’s top listed rate is 7.65% (Top listed rate 7.65%).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include Wisconsin are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. 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. Wisconsin does not tax Social Security benefits (WI tax agency).
- Estate tax. Wisconsin has no state estate tax (WI tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Wisconsin has no state inheritance tax (WI tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Wisconsin $7.25.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. Wisconsin 5.00%.
- State parks. Wisconsin 50. Official designated state parks.
- 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; WI 0).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (WI).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. Wisconsin 60 days.
- Days to title a car. Wisconsin 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled