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HEAD-TO-HEAD TAX COMPARISON · 2026

COUNTRY A Minnesota VS COUNTRY B Wisconsin

Side-by-side analysis of income tax, effective rates, and take-home pay for Minnesota and Wisconsin in 2026.

Daniel · CountryTaxCalc Updated May 2026 Tax Comparison 2026
Calculate your take-home → See all comparisons →
OVERVIEW
Wisconsin beats Minnesota on income tax at most income levels—though at $50,000 the gap actually flips in Minnesota's favor—saving a $100,000 earner roughly $581 per year in state income tax. Minnesota’s top rate of 9.85% is among the highest in the Midwest, while Wisconsin caps at 7.65%. However, Wisconsin’s property tax rate averages 1.32% compared to Minnesota’s 1.00%, which can erode those income tax savings for homeowners. Minnesota also levies an estate tax with a $3 million exemption—a significant consideration for high-net-worth residents—while Wisconsin has no estate tax. For most wage earners renting or owning modest homes above roughly $65,000 in income, Wisconsin still comes out ahead.
Section 01

The Big Picture

Top-line rates and effective take-home for a typical earner — including income tax, social contributions, and applicable surcharges.

🌲
COUNTRY A
Minnesota
TAX RATE
9.85%
Top Rate (4 Brackets)

Progressive 5.35%–9.85% with estate tax and $3M exemption

🧀
COUNTRY B
Wisconsin
TAX RATE
7.65%
Top Rate (4 Brackets)

Progressive 3.54%–7.65%; lower rates than Minnesota at every bracket

TYPICAL ANNUAL DIFFERENCE
Moving from Wisconsin → Minnesota at $100,000
$581

That's $48/month back in your pocket

Section 02

Tax Savings by Income Level

Net take-home after all income tax, social contributions, and surcharges — for a single employee with no dependents.

GROSS INCOME
🌲 MN TAX
🧀 WI TAX
SAVINGS
10-YEAR
$50,000
$1,877
$2,064
$187 (MN saves)
$1,870
$75,000
$3,577
$3,371
$206
$2,060
$100,000
$5,277
$4,696
$581
$5,810
$150,000
$8,942
$7,346
$1,596
$15,960
$250,000
$17,423
$12,646
$4,777
$47,770
$500,000
$42,048
$29,828
$12,220
$122,200
💡

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🌲

Minnesota Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • No estate tax on estates under $3 million
  • Lower property tax rate (~1.00%) than Wisconsin
  • Strong Minneapolis–Saint Paul economy and job market
  • Well-funded public schools and infrastructure
− CONS
  • Top income tax rate of 9.85% (one of the highest in the Midwest)
  • Estate tax applies to estates above $3 million
  • Both Social Security and retirement income taxed
  • High overall tax burden for high earners
🧀

Wisconsin Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Lower income tax at every bracket (3.54%–7.65%)
  • No estate or inheritance tax
  • Saves $581+/year versus Minnesota at $100K income (above ~$62K; MN is cheaper below that)
  • Lower cost of living than Twin Cities metro
− CONS
  • High property tax rate (~1.32%) can erode income tax savings
  • Social Security benefits are taxable
  • Smaller major-city economy compared to Minneapolis–Saint Paul
  • Limited top-tier university presence outside Madison
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How much less income tax does Wisconsin charge versus Minnesota?

At $100,000 income (single filer), Wisconsin’s income tax is approximately $4,696 versus Minnesota’s $5,277—a saving of $581 per year ($48/month). The gap widens sharply at higher incomes: at $250,000, Wisconsin saves you $4,777 annually, and at $500,000 the saving is roughly $12,220 per year. At very low incomes the pattern actually reverses: at $50,000, Minnesota is about $187 cheaper than Wisconsin, because Wisconsin's real standard deduction is smaller.

Does Minnesota have an estate tax?

Yes. Minnesota levies an estate tax on estates above $3 million, with rates from 13% to 16%. Wisconsin abolished its estate tax in 1992 and has none today. For residents with significant assets—including a family home, retirement accounts, and investment portfolio—this can be a major factor. A $4 million estate would owe roughly $130,000 in Minnesota estate tax; nothing in Wisconsin.

Why is Wisconsin’s property tax higher than Minnesota’s?

Wisconsin relies more heavily on property tax to fund local government and schools, resulting in an average effective rate of about 1.32% compared to Minnesota’s 1.00%. On a $400,000 home that’s about $1,280 more per year in Wisconsin. Homeowners should factor this into the income tax comparison: at $100,000 income, Wisconsin’s $581 income tax savings is now smaller than the $1,280 property tax gap — a Wisconsin homeowner with a $400K home actually pays about $699/year more overall than a Minnesota homeowner once property tax is included.

Do both states tax Social Security income?

Yes—both Minnesota and Wisconsin tax Social Security benefits for higher-income residents. Minnesota offers a partial Social Security subtraction for lower-income earners (under ~$105,000 AGI for married filers). Wisconsin uses the federal taxable Social Security amount as the starting point. Neither state is as Social Security-friendly as states like Florida or Tennessee that have no income tax at all.
From the brief
NL27%new 2027 rate, down from 30%
DK65.4kkr/mo threshold, cut from 78k
MT1940snon-dom regime unchanged since
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