Minnesota vs Wisconsin Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
$631 /yr more take-home in Wisconsin
$53/mo · $24 a paycheck.
Minnesota
Wisconsin
$58,018/yr in Minnesota vs $58,649/yr in Wisconsin.
Minnesota
Take-home per paycheck
$2,231.46
$58,018/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
Wisconsin
Take-home per paycheck
$2,255.73
$58,649/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
What this paycheck affords in Minnesota vs Wisconsin
Sized off $4,835/mo take-home in Minnesota and $4,887/mo in Wisconsin. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.
Purchasing power
$61,055 is what Minnesota take-home is worth at Wisconsin prices
Against $58,649 actually paid in Wisconsin, leaving Minnesota $2,406/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.
Rent
$258 /mo more for a two-bedroom in Wisconsin
$1,128/mo in Minnesota, $1,386/mo in Wisconsin.
The average two-bedroom takes 23% of take-home in Minnesota and 28% in Wisconsin — inside the comfortable range in both.
Buying a home
$50,000 more for the median home in Minnesota
$330,000 in Minnesota, $280,000 in Wisconsin.
The median home is 1.2× what this salary supports in Minnesota and 1.1× in Wisconsin. Lenders size a mortgage off gross pay, so the budgets start from $75,000 at a 28% debt-to-income ratio, 6.75% over 30 years, each with its own state property tax rate.
What's left each month
$196 /mo more left over in Minnesota
Minnesota has $1,318/mo spare; Wisconsin has $1,123/mo spare.
Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $564/mo in Minnesota and $693/mo in Wisconsin.
Monthly cost by expense class
Every class on one scale, so housing's share of the month stays visible. Housing is the measured average two-bedroom; the rest are BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey averages moved by each state's cost-of-living index.
Other costs
| Cost | Minnesota | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.26/gal | $3.18/gal |
| Electricity | $109/mo | $113/mo |
| Infant childcare | $1,881/mo | $1,413/mo |
Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 39% of take-home in Minnesota and 29% in Wisconsin.
Sources: MERIC/C2ER Cost of Living Index (2025), AAA Fuel Gauge Report (2025), EIA State Electricity Profiles (2024), Child Care Aware of America (2024), Zillow Home Value Index (2025), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Estimate based on 2026 tax rates and standard deductions. Does not include local taxes, itemized deductions, tax credits, or other individual circumstances.
Tax system comparison
Minnesota: Minnesota uses a progressive income tax with 4 brackets ranging from 5.35% to 9.85%.
Wisconsin: Wisconsin uses a progressive income tax with 4 brackets ranging from 3.50% to 7.65%.
Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)
| Salary | Minnesota take-home | Wisconsin take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,480 | $40,778 | -$298 |
| $75,000 | $58,018 | $58,649 | -$631 |
| $100,000 | $73,905 | $74,752 | -$847 |
| $150,000 | $104,856 | $106,482 | -$1,626 |
| $200,000 | $136,067 | $138,968 | -$2,901 |
| $300,000 | $192,853 | $199,917 | -$7,065 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Minnesota. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Minnesota or Wisconsin?
At a $100,000 salary, Wisconsin results in $847 more annual take-home pay. Minnesota uses a progressive income tax with 4 brackets ranging from 5.35% to 9.85%. Wisconsin uses a progressive income tax with 4 brackets ranging from 3.50% to 7.65%.
How much more do you take home in Wisconsin vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $298/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $1,626/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $7,065/yr.
Do Minnesota and Wisconsin have the same federal taxes?
Yes. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are the same in every state. Only state income tax differs. This calculator shows the combined effect of federal and state taxes on your take-home pay.
Is it cheaper to live in Minnesota or Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Minnesota is 3% higher than in Wisconsin. Minnesota's Regional Price Parity is 98.2 and Wisconsin's is 94.9 (US average = 100).
Is Wisconsin cheaper than Minnesota?
Yes. Wisconsin has a lower cost of living than Minnesota (index 94.9 vs 98.2). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is Minnesota more expensive than Wisconsin?
Yes. Minnesota has a higher cost of living (index 98.2) compared to Wisconsin (index 94.9). The national average is 100. Housing costs are typically the largest driver of the difference.
After cost of living, which state is actually cheaper?
At a $100,000 salary, take-home pay of $73,905 in Minnesota has the purchasing power of $76,475 in Wisconsin terms. Conversely, $74,752 in Wisconsin equals $72,240 in Minnesota terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Minnesota comes out ahead.
Minnesota vs Wisconsin cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 3% different between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Living costs are about 2% below the national average Living costs are 5% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, Minnesota gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.
Do I need to file state tax returns in both Minnesota and Wisconsin?
Minnesota requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. Wisconsin requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there. Each state has its own tax return form — check your state's department of revenue website for the correct form and e-filing options.
Related tools
- Minnesota vs Wisconsin Cost of Living — Compare housing, groceries, utilities, and overall expenses
- Minnesota Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- Wisconsin Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- How much house can you afford in Minnesota?
- How much house can you afford in Wisconsin?
- Minnesota Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Wisconsin Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Minnesota Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Wisconsin Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise changes your take-home pay
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
Minnesota Paycheck Estimator · Wisconsin Paycheck Estimator · All states