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Side-by-side state comparison

Minnesota vs Wisconsin Paycheck Comparison (2026)

Last reviewed: April 20, 2026

At $100,000 single filer, take-home difference

Moving from Minnesota to Wisconsin saves approximately $1,864 per year at $100,000 single.

Computed from the tax engine with 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and state tax. Standard deduction, no pre-tax contributions.

Minnesota and Wisconsin both levy state income tax but with different structures. Minnesota has a progressive state tax (top 9.85%). Wisconsin has a progressive state tax (top 7.65%). At a $100,000 single salary, Wisconsin residents take home approximately $1,864 more per year than Minnesota residents, or roughly $155 more per month. Both states use progressive structures, so the gap shifts at each bracket boundary; the table below captures the math at four representative salary points. If you are considering a move between Minnesota and Wisconsin, the table below shows the paycheck impact at four common salary points, with the federal load held constant across both. Cost of living and housing markets shift the full math beyond paycheck alone.

How the state tax structures compare

FeatureMinnesotaWisconsin
State structureProgressive 5.35 to 9.85 percentProgressive 3.5 to 7.65 percent
Taxes wages?YesYes

Take-home at four common salary points

Single filer, 2026 brackets, standard deduction, no pre-tax contributions. Delta is Wisconsin take-home minus Minnesota take-home.

SalaryMinnesotaWisconsinDelta
$50,000$39,191$40,092+$901
$100,000$72,403$74,267+$1,864
$150,000$102,889$106,228+$3,339
$250,000$162,959$170,319+$7,360

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Wisconsin takes home more

+$1,864

more per year vs. Minnesota · $155/mo · $72/paycheck

5-Year Difference

$9,318

Tax Component
Minnesota
Wisconsinwinner
Gross Salary$100,000$100,000
Federal Tax$13,170$13,170
Social Security$6,200$6,200
Medicare$1,450$1,450
State Tax$6,377$4,913
Local / City Tax$0$0
State Payroll Deductions$400$0
Annual Take-Home$72,403$74,267
Effective Tax Rate27.60%25.73%
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Minnesota vs Wisconsin FAQ

What's the biggest paycheck difference between Minnesota and Wisconsin?
Minnesota's higher top marginal rate (9.85%) versus Wisconsin's (7.65%). At incomes near the top of the bracket schedules, the gap reflects the rate difference. Below the top brackets, the differences in the lower-bracket structures shape the gap.
Does this comparison include local taxes?
No. Neither Minnesota nor Wisconsin has city- or county-level wage tax that the engine models for this comparison. The state lines shown are the complete state-and-local picture for this pair.
What about cost-of-living differences?
This page covers paycheck math only. Housing, transportation, childcare, healthcare, and other costs vary widely between Minnesota and Wisconsin, often by more than the paycheck difference. Use the take-home gap as one input alongside a cost-of-living check before making relocation decisions.

See also

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Reviewed

How This Page Is Reviewed

The Minnesota vs Wisconsin comparison is reviewed against primary federal and state sources before each major tax-year update. Source links below are the references used to validate brackets, wage bases, and supported local taxes.

Reviewed by

PaycheckCalc Research Desk

Last reviewed

2026-04-20