I'd probably find it rough to have lived somewhere like Cali after leaving where I am and then end up back in the Midwest as well. We did actually just have a coworker who had grown up rust belt, worked in Cali a couple years, came to WI for a couple and just went back to Cali because she missed it so much. Not sure what part Knapp is from, but it's crazy when you're out there - an hour or two and you can be in actual mountains, national parks, go skiing, go to the beach, go to some of the best known US cities - just a lot of variety and really cool stuff that is accessible. And if you don't enjoy the colder seasons, you can avoid that but still get winter activities.
That's not to say the Midwest doesn't have its own set of attractions. They are different though, and since you mentioned looking for a change - I imagine coming back to somewhere you've already spent a lot of time, would be something of a disappointment - even though it's new to your wife. Also, moving back in late fall/winter is about the worst time to do so, lol. Like the time my South American/southeast coast raised coworker moved to WI in the middle of the coldest January we'd had in years. She remains bitter about winters here, ha.
Maybe you can take on a role of introducing the midwest to your wife or try to visit places you never did while you were here.
I'm a big fan of mountains and beaches so I should probably live in Cali. Or Scotland!