Moving to Wisconsin Tips & Advice

Wisconsin is a state of many firsts and numerous top rankings. The Dairy State prides itself on innovation and adapting to create a place desirable for anybody to live.

In 2021, Wisconsin had an inbound traffic rate of 48%. America’s Dairyland is known for its affordable cost of living, beautiful outdoors, and well, dairy! If you’re ready to move, United Van Lines can help.

Find out what you need to know to make an informed, stress-free move to the state of Wisconsin.

Why Are People Moving to Wisconsin?

In United Van Lines 2021 Annual Movers Study,  40.2% of people moving into the state moved for jobs. Other reasons included family (39.8%), retirement (19.9%), lifestyle (7.1%), and health (2.6%).

The state is also appealing to a wide variety of demographics. The three most popular age groups moving to the state are older adults 55+ (52.5%), followed by young adults 18-34 (19.3%).

People can move for a variety of reasons, but it’s clear there’s something for everybody in Wisconsin.

Jobs in Wisconsin

Job-related reasons were the number one factor bringing people to Wisconsin in 2021. Based on the state’s high rankings, it’s no surprise.

According to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, with over 400,000 manufacturing employees, Wisconsin was ranked as one of the top 10 states for manufacturing company headquarters. 

America’s Dairyland has over 70,000 farms throughout the state, the second most in the country. 7 of the 11 largest food companies in the world have operations in the state.

The state is home to big employers including  Northwestern Mutual and American Family Insurance. 

Major industries like agriculture, bio-health, energy, manufacturing, and more provide opportunity for employees with a variety of skills. 

Living in Wisconsin

Young professionals, families, retirees, and people in other stages of life love living in Wisconsin. This state seems to have something for everybody and every interest.

With a low cost of living and ample job opportunity, Wisconsin is ranked as the fifth best state for Millennials families. The state’s cost of living is 6.5% less than the national average, attracting more than just Millennials. 

Education is top-notch across the state, from elementary through high school and college. Wisconsin has ranked top in school safety and overall school programs. 

Want to live in one of the top 10 cities in the country based on salary and cost of living? Consider moving to Milwaukee, one of the greenest cities in the United States. 

Located along the shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee has a variety of popular attractions. These sights include the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Harley Davidson Museum and Milwaukee Public Market. The city also hosts Summerfest, once billed as the world’s largest music festival. Each year, Summerfest hosts over 800 bands over 11 days on 11 different stages.

Living in Madison, Wisconsin means being in one of the most walkable cities in the country. Home to the University of Wisconsin, Madison was ranked 15th as the top city to live car-free. This capital city also provides competitive cost of living and phenomenal schools.

Farmers markets, snowmobiling, beautiful scenery and delicious food are also important to Wisconsin culture. Step out to the secluded 1,200 mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail, or, enjoy a traditional fish fry during Lent. Whether you’re moving for a big-city feel or a small town atmosphere, Wisconsin has it.

Professional sports fans in Wisconsin can visit a Packer game in Green Bay, or catch the Brewers or Bucks in Milwaukee.

The Wisconsin Dells are also a great place to visit, featuring many of the largest indoor water parks in the country.

Weathering the Move to Wisconsin

Cold winters, comfortable summers, and beautiful springs and falls make up Wisconsin’s climate. The state’s location next to the Great Lakes impacts the weather throughout the state. 

Summers are humid but not extremely hot, winters can be bitterly cold, with a lot of snowfall. Wisconsin is prone to tornadoes, thunderstorms, and flooding starting in late spring through early summer.

If your moving date is flexible, it’s best to avoid the winter. Be mindful of the weather the rest of the year if moving to Wisconsin. If a winter move is a must, United Van Lines can help make it easier with our cold weather moving tips.

No matter when you’re moving, packing correctly is essential to make sure your items arrive undamaged, in any climate.

Where Are You Moving From?

Moving across the country, across the state, or across town? No matter where you currently live, United Van Lines has movers ready to help.

For long-distance moves, we can help with packing, providing storage, and moving day itself. For local moves between cities in Wisconsin, United Van Lines’ local agents provide services under their own businesses’ independent authorities and brands

Ready to Move to Wisconsin? Get a Quote Today!

Ready to make the move to America’s Dairyland? A full-service, professional moving company can make all the difference. View our moving services, find the plan that works best for you, and complete an online quote to get started.

MyUnited Move Portal

United Van Lines makes it easy to coordinate your move to Wisconsin and stay organized along the way. The MyUnited Move Portal personalizes and streamlines your moving experience. Use customized tools to keep track of all major moving milestones, organize contacts, and book your move online. Get started today with the expert movers at United Van Lines.