Highly rated local moving companies for Madison to Sacramento moves
Organizing a move from Madison to Sacramento can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. We’ve done the groundwork for you, evaluating five local movers in Madison known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the best local movers for long-distance moves from Madison to Sacramento.
- 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 Sacramento?
On average, moving companies in Wisconsin charge about per hour. Consider these typical rates for a full-service moving company, moving container, or rental truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,233 – $4,848 | $1,092 – $2,898 | $1,177 – $2,073 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $3,404 – $7,711 | $1,923 – $3,997 | $1,261 – $2,544 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,170 – $11,252 | $2,662 – $5,560 | $1,606 – $3,148 |
Cost to hire movers from Madison to Sacramento
When planning a move to Sacramento from Madison, for a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,233 and $4,848. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $3,404 and $7,711 for the same journey. Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $6,170 to $11,252.
Cost of moving containers from Madison to Sacramento
When you’re heading from Madison to Sacramento, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $1,092 and $2,898. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $1,923 and $3,997. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $2,662 to $5,560. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Wisconsin easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Madison to Sacramento
A moving rental truck from Madison to Sacramento is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,177 to $2,073. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,261 to $2,544, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms from Madison to Sacramento costs around $1,606 to $3,148.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors that affect moving costs from Madison to Sacramento
The cost of Madison movers will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Madison to Sacramento may only cost $2,421, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $10,427.
- The season you’re moving in: Movers charge more in summer, the busiest months in Madison.
- Which type of mover you use: Save with a truck rental ($1,177–$2,816), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
What to know before moving from Madison to Sacramento
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Sacramento runs about 16% higher for singles and 13% higher for families than Madison.
Singles spend around $2,656 in Madison versus $2,292 in Madison; families pay $6,191 compared with $5,457.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Madison | Sacramento | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,693 | $2,080 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,100 | $3,540 |
| Average home value | $367,934 | $476,699 |
| Average income (per capita) | $62,919 | $78,954 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,292 | $2,656 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,457 | $6,191 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 7.7% |
| Sales tax | 5.5% | 8.75% |
| State income tax | 7.65% | 13.3% |
- Rent is about 19% more expensive in Sacramento than in Madison. Make sure to include this increase in your monthly budget.
- Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 30% steeper in Sacramento compared to Madison.
- Here’s some fantastic news, the average income is approximately 25% greater in Sacramento than in Madison, offering more potential for savings or investments each month.
- Prepare for elevated costs in Sacramento, with the cost of living for a single person being 16% more than in Madison. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- When considering a family move to Sacramento, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 13% higher than in Madison.
- Sacramento has a higher unemployment rate than Madison by about 133%. This means that more people are out of work, so employers may have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, which can lead to a more competitive hiring process.
- Sales taxes in Sacramento surpass those in Madison by 59%. This means everyday items like clothing, dining, and electronics may cost more at checkout.
- Income taxes are 74% more in California than in Wisconsin. This increase in state taxes means you will retain less of your earnings, impacting your disposable income.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Madison versus Sacramento:
| Living Expense | Madison | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $215.88 | $356.80 |
| Cell phone plan | $50.44 | $61.14 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.04 | $4.58 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.75 | $4.27 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $64.29 | $47.08 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Madison than in Sacramento, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Madison than in Sacramento.
- Eggs are less expensive in Madison than in Sacramento.
- Bread costs less in Madison than in Sacramento.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Madison than in Sacramento.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Madison than in Sacramento.
- Gym memberships cost more in Madison than in Sacramento.
How life is different in Madison vs. Sacramento
| Madison | Sacramento | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 269,840 | 524,943 |
| Transportation score | 6 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 50 | 49 |
| Bike friendliness score | 66 | 67 |
| Crime index | 34.57 | 49.21 |
| Safety index | 65.43 | 50.79 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- Sacramento’s population is about 95% greater than Madison.
- Sacramento’s public transportation score is within about 5% of Madison, making them very similar.
- Sacramento and Madison are similarly walkable.
- Both Sacramento and Madison have similar bike-friendliness scores (66 vs 67), meaning Sacramento is about as safe for cyclists as Madison. Typically, cities with scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though higher scores mean better cycling accessibility.
- Sacramento’s crime rate is higher than Madison with a score of 49.21 compared to Madison’s 34.57. This means that Sacramento neighborhoods are safer than 49.21% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Madison neighborhoods are safer than 34.57%.
- Sacramento is considered to be less safe than Madison with a score of 50.79 vs Madison’s 65.43.
- Air quality in Sacramento is Moderate, and in Madison it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Madison to Sacramento move
- HOA rules: Costs across Madison and Sacramento are largely aligned, so your monthly budget shouldn’t shift much after the move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you’ll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in California, visit the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in California, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Sacramento. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items’ full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Sacramento
With your sights set on Almond Capital of the World, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Sacramento.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown Sacramento
- East Sacramento
- Land Park
- Natomas Park
- North Oak Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Boulevard Park
- River Park
- Land Park
- Village 7
- East Sacramento
- Natomas Park
Things to do in Sacramento
With your move to California complete, you can dive right into experiencing Sacramento. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you’ll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Sacramento is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the California State Railroad Museum, Crocker Art Museum, California State Capitol Museum, and Old Sacramento.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, Capitol Park, William Land Park, and McKinley Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Sacramento Kings (NBA)Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A West) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Madison to Sacramento?
If you’re flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Madison to Sacramento. You’ll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Madison.
When is the cheapest time to move from Madison to Sacramento?
Want to save on your move from Madison to Sacramento? Consider scheduling it in winter, when demand is lower and rates are often cheaper. Our moving discounts guide shows you how.
How long does a move from Madison to Sacramento take?
The 1,992-mile move from Madison, WI, to Sacramento, , takes five to 16 days. Some Madison movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Sacramento.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in Madison?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 3 movers in Madison provide piano moving services. 1 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 25 piano movers and 13 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2,303 and 1,466.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.
Helpful moving resources
Madison moving services
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