Minnesota vs Wisconsin: Vehicle Registration Cost Comparison
Comparing what the same vehicles cost to register each year in Minnesota versus Wisconsin, computed from both states' current official fee schedules:
| Scenario | Minnesota | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| New $45k gas SUV | $743.25/yr | $85.00/yr |
| 3-yr-old $35k gas car | $475.50/yr | $85.00/yr |
| New $55k EV | $1,175.75/yr | $260.00/yr |
| 10-yr-old $8k car | $54.50/yr | $85.00/yr |
For most vehicles, Wisconsin is the cheaper state to register in — though the gap varies a lot by vehicle value and age. Keep in mind annual registration is only part of the picture: sales/excise taxes at purchase, insurance, and local property taxes on vehicles can outweigh the registration difference.
Minnesota in short
Minnesota's registration tax is value-based: 1.575% of your vehicle's base MSRP (for vehicles first registered since late 2020), multiplied by an age factor that starts at 100% and steps down to 10% in year ten — then a flat $20 from year eleven on. A new $45,000 vehicle owes about $700 in year one. Since January 2026 the EV surcharge is value-based too: 0.5% of depreciated MSRP with a $150 floor, and plug-in hybrids owe 0.25% with a $75 floor.
Wisconsin in short
Wisconsin charges a flat $85 annual registration for automobiles, plus municipal or county wheel taxes in many jurisdictions ($10–$40). The title fee rose to $214.50 in October 2025. EVs pay an additional $175 and hybrids/plug-in hybrids $75.
All figures computed from official fee schedules — sources: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/168.013 — last reviewed 2026-07-16.