Is New York or Wisconsin a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Wisconsin ranks higher overall. New York is #26 and Wisconsin is #21 out of 50 states. New York wins 5 of 11 categories, while Wisconsin wins 6.

How does New York compare to Wisconsin in cost of living?

New York has a cost of living index of 108, while Wisconsin's is 93 (100 = national average). Wisconsin is more affordable.

Which state is safer, New York or Wisconsin?

New York has 364 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 295 in Wisconsin. Wisconsin has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in New York vs Wisconsin?

New York's median household income is $81,386, compared to $72,458 in Wisconsin.

New York vs Wisconsin: Side-by-Side (2026)

New York

#26·Northeast

56.8Composite Score

VSWisconsin leads

Wisconsin

#21·Midwest

63.7Composite Score

5NY wins

6WI wins

Category Overlay

New YorkWisconsin

Category Scores

💰 EconomyWI +12.5

43.7

56.2

🛡️ SafetyWI +9.2

58.1

67.3

🏥 HealthNY +22.5

73.5

51.0

🎓 EducationWI +6.1

59.2

65.3

💼 Fiscal HealthWI +19.1

44.5

63.6

📈 GrowthWI +23.8

19.9

43.7

🏠 AffordabilityWI +38.0

35.4

73.4

🌿 EnvironmentNY +17.8

58.4

40.6

🏞️ Outdoor AccessNY +6.3

30.2

23.9

🚇 TransportationNY +14.1

58.3

44.2

🎭 LivabilityNY +15.6

55.1

39.5

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	New York	Wisconsin	Winner
Population	19,571,216	5,910,955	NY
Median Income	$81,386	$72,458	NY
Unemployment	4.5%	3%	WI
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	364	295	WI
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	108	93	WI
HS Graduation Rate	85%	90%	WI
Life Expectancy	79.1 yr	78.4 yr	NY
Pop Growth	+0.4%	+0.4%	Tie

New York vs Wisconsin: How Do They Compare?

New York ranks #26 overall with a composite score of 56.8, earning a B grade. Wisconsin sits at #21 with 63.7 and a B grade. Wisconsin has the edge overall, winning 6 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, New York has 4.5% unemployment and a $81,386 median income, while Wisconsin reports 3% unemployment and $72,458 median income.

For safety, New York's violent crime rate is 364 per 100K compared to 295 in Wisconsin. Cost of living favors Wisconsin with an index of 93 vs 108.

Explore These States

New York Full Profile56.8 Wisconsin Full Profile63.7 Compare Other States→

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, Migration Data 2021-2022