Top local movers for Madison to Fort Collins moves
Searching for a dependable local mover in Madison that also provides long-distance services to Fort Collins can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in — we’ve analyzed five local movers in Madison who specialize in long-distance relocations, factoring in cost, services, and customer feedback.
These are the best local moving companies for getting from Madison to Fort Collins.
- Above Average Moving LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- The Armstrong Company: 4.44 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.44 out of 5 stars
- Top Notch Moving and Storage: 4.3 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.28 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 26753
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 2595339
Alternate Names: Above Average Moving LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 39
DOT #: 1170867
Alternate Names: Armstrong Transfer & Storage Co., Inc. , Armstrong Relocation & Commercial Services , The Armstrong Company
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: Lightner & Lightner, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 5
DOT #: 3322160
Alternate Names: TopNotchMovers LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
DOT #: 2378173
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Madison to Fort Collins?
Movers in Wisconsin generally charge an average of per hour. Check out these typical costs for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck rental:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,194 – $4,673 | $793 – $1,988 | $648 – $1,122 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $2,495 – $5,925 | $1,366 – $2,937 | $680 – $1,403 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,940 – $7,748 | $1,994 – $3,815 | $812 – $1,739 |
Cost to hire movers from Madison to Fort Collins
Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Madison to Fort Collins typically costs between $1,194 and $4,673. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $2,495 and $5,925 when moving from Madison to Fort Collins. If you’re tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Madison to Fort Collins, you’re looking at costs ranging from $3,940 up to $7,748.
Cost of moving containers from Madison to Fort Collins
If you’re relocating from Madison to Fort Collins, you’ll typically spend between $793 and $1,988 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $1,366 up to $2,937. If you’re moving a larger home — four bedrooms or more — expect to pay anywhere between $1,994 and $3,815. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Wisconsin.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Madison to Fort Collins
Renting a moving truck is typically the most budget-friendly choice for a Madison to Fort Collins move, but remember, you’ll be responsible for all the heavy lifting, packing, and driving on your own.
If you’re moving from a studio or one-bedroom place with a rental truck, expect to pay between $648 and $1,122. For a two- or three-bedroom move, costs usually range from $680 to $1,403. If you’re tackling a four-bedroom or bigger move, your rental truck will likely run between $812 and $1,739.
Estimated fuel costs are already factored into these quotes.
Major factors affecting moving costs from Madison to Fort Collins
The cost of Madison movers will depend on:
- Move size: The cost of your move depends on how much you’re bringing. A one-bedroom from Madison to Fort Collins might be as low as $2,182, while a four-bedroom could reach $6,598.
- When you move: Moving in summer often costs more, since it’s the busiest season for movers in Madison.
- DIY moves vs. full-service help: Truck rentals cost less — around $648 to $1,516 — but you’ll handle all the labor vs. letting professionals do it.
What to know before moving from Madison to Fort Collins
Many movers find Fort Collins easier on the wallet than Madison – roughly 7% less for singles and 12% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,140 for one person in Fort Collins versus $2,292 in Madison. For a family of four, it’s $4,795 compared with $5,457.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Madison | Fort Collins | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,693 | $1,783 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,100 | $2,830 |
| Average home value | $367,934 | $543,093 |
| Average income (per capita) | $62,919 | $64,728 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,292 | $2,140 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,457 | $4,795 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 5.6% |
| Sales tax | 5.5% | 7.55% |
| State income tax | 7.65% | 5.49% |
- Consider this before moving: Rent can be about 9% higher in Fort Collins than in Madison, which may impact your monthly finances.
- A larger mortgage budget will be necessary since home prices are about 48% higher in Fort Collins than in Madison.
- Luckily, the average income is within about 5% of the same in Fort Collins and Madison, so no need to worry about big financial changes.
- Prepare to enjoy reduced routine costs such as groceries, fuel, and utilities in Fort Collins. The cost of living for a single person is 7% less compared to Madison.
- Relocating to Fort Collins could provide savings on routine expenses for your family, including transportation, utilities, and groceries. The cost of living for a family is 12% lower than in Madison.
- The unemployment rate in Fort Collins exceeds that of Madison by about 70%, resulting in a larger pool of potential workers and thus more hiring competition.
- Sales taxes in Fort Collins exceed those in Madison by 37%, which can mean paying extra for usual purchases like clothes and electronics.
- Income taxes are 28% lower in Colorado than in Wisconsin. Lower income tax rates mean less money is withheld from your paycheck, giving you more flexibility to save, invest, or cover everyday expenses.
Take a detailed look at how everyday expenses stack up between Madison and Fort Collins, from monthly bills to routine purchases:
| Living Expense | Madison | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $215.88 | $167.02 |
| Cell phone plan | $50.44 | $43.00 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.04 | $4.12 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.75 | $3.09 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15.00 | $18.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $72.00 |
| Gym membership | $64.29 | $60.00 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Madison than in Fort Collins.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Madison than in Fort Collins.
- Eggs are less expensive in Madison than in Fort Collins.
- Bread is more expensive in Madison than in Fort Collins.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Madison than in Fort Collins.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Madison than in Fort Collins.
- Gym memberships cost more in Madison than in Fort Collins.
How life is different in Madison vs. Fort Collins
| Madison | Fort Collins | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 269,840 | 169,810 |
| Transportation score | 6 | 4 |
| Walkability score | 50 | 37 |
| Bike friendliness score | 66 | 78 |
| Crime index | 34.57 | 17.0 |
| Safety index | 65.43 | 72.86 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Fort Collins’s population is about 37% less than Madison.
- Fort Collins’s public transportation score of 4 out of 10 is lower than Madison’s score of 6.
- Fort Collins is less walkable than Madison with a score of 37 out of 100 vs Madison’s 50 out of 100.
- With a score of 78 out of 100, Fort Collins is more bike-friendly than Madison, which has a score of 66 out of 100. The higher a city’s score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Fort Collins’s crime rate is lower than Madison with a score of 17.0 compared to Madison’s 34.57. This means that Fort Collins neighborhoods are safer than 17.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Madison neighborhoods are safer than 34.57%.
- Fort Collins is considered to be safer than Madison with a safety index of 72.86 vs Madison’s 65.43.
- Air quality in Fort Collins is Good, and in Madison it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Madison to Fort Collins move
- HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you’re familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: If there is an elevator in your building, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Research parking requirements in your destination city to ensure your truck won’t run into restrictions.
- State licensing: The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (COPUC) regulates local and intrastate moving service providers in Colorado. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a Colorado moving license through the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Colorado, though it’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Fort Collins without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: State laws differ on mover insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-free advantage, provided by movers with minimal coverage. Under this option, the mover’s responsibility is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if your mover lost or damaged a valuable item, you would only receive compensation based on this limited valuation. If you seek comprehensive coverage for your items’ full value, discuss alternative options with the moving company you’re hiring or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you’ve got everything covered.
Where to live in Fort Collins
Ready to relocate to Fort Collins? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Fort Collins.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Old Town
- City Park
- Ram’s Village
- Harmony Crossing
Best neighborhoods for families
- Old Town
- City Park
- Huntington Hills
- Harmony Crossing
Things to do in Fort Collins
Now that you’ve made the move to Colorado, it’s the perfect time to explore Fort Collins. From local hotspots to hidden gems, there’s something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Fort Collins include museums and art centers like the Totally 80’s Pizza & Museum, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, and Museum of Art Fort Collins.
- Outdoor recreation: Outdoor lovers will appreciate Cache La Poudre River, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, Annual Flower Trial Garden, and Spring Canyon Community Park, along with many other spots perfect for walking, cycling, and fresh air adventures.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Colorado State Rams (Mountain West) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Madison to Fort Collins?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Madison to Fort Collins. You’ll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Madison.
When is the cheapest time to move from Madison to Fort Collins?
With many people choosing to move from Madison to Fort Collins in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Madison to Fort Collins take?
Covering 933 miles, the move from Madison, WI to Fort Collins, typically takes two to seven days. Some Madison movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Fort Collins can help bridge the gap.
How many movers in Madison can handle specialty items for my move to Fort Collins?
Specialty moving services aren’t offered by every company. In Madison, 3 movers can handle pianos. 1 offer antique moving services. Compared to the rest of WI, there are 25 piano movers and 13 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers are 2,303 and 1,466 respectively.
If you need these services, it’s best to book early — availability can be limited, especially during peak moving months.
Helpful moving resources
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