Iowa vs Wisconsin Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
$745 /yr more take-home in Iowa
$62/mo · $29 a paycheck.
Iowa
Wisconsin
$59,394/yr in Iowa vs $58,649/yr in Wisconsin.
Iowa
Take-home per paycheck
$2,284.40
$59,394/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 Iowa vs Wisconsin
Sized off $4,950/mo take-home in Iowa and $4,887/mo in Wisconsin. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.
Purchasing power
$65,149 is what Iowa take-home is worth at Wisconsin prices
Against $58,649 actually paid in Wisconsin, leaving Iowa $6,500/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.
Rent
$298 /mo more for a two-bedroom in Wisconsin
$1,088/mo in Iowa, $1,386/mo in Wisconsin.
The average two-bedroom takes 22% of take-home in Iowa and 28% in Wisconsin — inside the comfortable range in both.
Buying a home
$70,000 more for the median home in Wisconsin
$210,000 in Iowa, $280,000 in Wisconsin.
This salary covers the median home in Iowa; the Wisconsin median is 1.1× what it supports. 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
$415 /mo more left over in Iowa
Iowa has $1,538/mo spare; Wisconsin has $1,123/mo spare.
Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $544/mo in Iowa 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 | Iowa | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.19/gal | $3.18/gal |
| Electricity | $83/mo | $113/mo |
| Infant childcare | $800/mo | $1,413/mo |
Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 16% of take-home in Iowa 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
Iowa: Iowa has a flat state income tax of 3.80%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.
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 | Iowa take-home | Wisconsin take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $41,107 | $40,778 | + $329 |
| $75,000 | $59,394 | $58,649 | + $745 |
| $100,000 | $76,032 | $74,752 | + $1,279 |
| $150,000 | $108,743 | $106,482 | + $2,261 |
| $200,000 | $141,979 | $138,968 | + $3,011 |
| $300,000 | $204,429 | $199,917 | + $4,511 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Iowa. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Iowa or Wisconsin?
At a $100,000 salary, Iowa results in $1,279 more annual take-home pay. Iowa has a flat state income tax of 3.80%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate. Wisconsin uses a progressive income tax with 4 brackets ranging from 3.50% to 7.65%.
How much more do you take home in Iowa vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $329/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $2,261/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $4,511/yr.
Do Iowa 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 Iowa or Wisconsin?
Iowa is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Iowa is 5% lower than in Wisconsin. Iowa's Regional Price Parity is 90.2 and Wisconsin's is 94.9 (US average = 100).
Is Iowa cheaper than Wisconsin?
Yes. Iowa has a lower cost of living than Wisconsin (index 90.2 vs 94.9). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is Wisconsin more expensive than Iowa?
Yes. Wisconsin has a higher cost of living (index 94.9) compared to Iowa (index 90.2). 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 $76,032 in Iowa has the purchasing power of $72,266 in Wisconsin terms. Conversely, $74,752 in Wisconsin equals $78,648 in Iowa terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Wisconsin comes out ahead.
Iowa vs Wisconsin cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 5% different between Iowa and Wisconsin. Living costs are 10% below the national average Living costs are 5% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, Wisconsin gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.
Do I need to file state tax returns in both Iowa and Wisconsin?
Iowa 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.
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Iowa Paycheck Estimator · Wisconsin Paycheck Estimator · All states