Compare cities in Wisconsin
Compare 6 metro profiles in Wisconsin, with housing cost, climate, work, safety, daily-life, and source-labeled data.
Wisconsin metros to compare
- #1
Milwaukee, WI
Cost/climate 63, Work 85, Daily life 48, Community 67. ACS rent $1,052/mo; safety 63/100.
- #2
Madison, WI
Cost/climate 57, Work 76, Daily life 45, Community 64. ACS rent $1,228/mo; safety 63/100.
- #3
Appleton, WI
Cost/climate 64, Work 77, Daily life 45, Community 52. ACS rent $942/mo; safety 65/100.
- #4
Eau Claire, WI
Cost/climate 65, Work 78, Daily life 45, Community 50. ACS rent $925/mo; safety 65/100.
- #5
Green Bay, WI
Cost/climate 67, Work 78, Daily life 41, Community 51. ACS rent $924/mo; safety 65/100.
- #6
Racine, WI
Cost/climate 64, Work 74, Daily life 38, Community 55. ACS rent $985/mo; safety 65/100.
In-state comparisons
Retiring in Wisconsin: state tax treatment
| Social Security | Not taxed | Social Security benefits are exempt from Wisconsin income tax. |
|---|---|---|
| Pension / 401(k) / IRA | Partially taxed / income-limited | Beginning tax year 2025, taxpayers 67+ may exclude up to $24,000 ($48,000 joint) of qualified retirement income (2025 budget act); certain pre-1964 public pensions and military retirement pay are exempt - verify current-year rules. |
| Senior property-tax relief | Available | Homestead credit (income-qualified circuit breaker) plus property tax deferral loans for seniors. |
| Estate tax | No | |
| Inheritance tax | No |
Research, not tax advice. This is an unverified snapshot retrieved 2026-07-13 from public sources — thresholds, phase-outs, and rules change every year. Verify with the Wisconsin revenue department and a tax professional before acting on it.
Use the Retirement Edition quiz to reweight Wisconsin metros around healthcare access, retirement taxes, cost, and climate comfort.
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