Tacoma, WA to Madison, WI Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Tacoma to Madison typically costs $4,200–$9,500 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,916 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Tacoma to Madison
Moving from Tacoma, WA to Madison, WI typically costs $4,200–$9,500 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,916-mile move from Tacoma to Madison, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Mayzlin Relocation recently quoted $3,334 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
- American Van Lines recently quoted $6,176 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
- PODS recently quoted $2,304 for a 1 bedroom (large) using a moving container.
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 13, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 30, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 29, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 25, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 18, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 11, 2026
Studio apartment
Dec 13, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 09, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 05, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Nov 27, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Tacoma to Madison
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $3,200, but larger homes can run up to $14,300.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Tacoma.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($1,300–$3,400) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Madison, WI to Tacoma, WA guide.
Best Tacoma to Madison movers by type
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Tacoma to Madison
For a stress-free interstate move from Tacoma to Madison, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best WA→WI movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 94 Washington moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Tacoma to Madison
Many movers find Madison easier on the wallet than Tacoma - roughly 45% less for singles and 25% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,292 for one person in Madison versus $4,133 in Tacoma. For a family of four, it's $5,457 compared with $7,260.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Tacoma | Madison | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,935 | $1,693 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,389 | $3,100 |
| Average home value | $477,289 | $367,934 |
| Average income (per capita) | $73,341 | $62,919 |
| Cost of living (single) | $4,133 | $2,292 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $7,260 | $5,457 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3% | 3.3% |
| Sales tax | 10.3% | 5.5% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 7.65% |
- Your monthly budgeting won't require significant modification when moving from Tacoma to Madison, as rent prices are comparably stable.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 23% lower in Madison than in Tacoma.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 14% less in Madison than in Tacoma.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Madison, where the cost of living for a single person is 45% less than in Tacoma.
- Moving to Madison could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family's regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 25% less than in Tacoma.
- Madison experiences an unemployment rate that is about 55% lower than that of Tacoma. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 47% lower in Madison than in Tacoma. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Madison can reduce your overall living expenses.
- Wisconsin has a state income tax, while Washington does not. That means you’ll owe more in taxes after your move, reducing your take-home pay compared to what you’re used to.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Tacoma with Madison:
| Living Expense | Tacoma | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $229.80 | $215.88 |
| Cell phone plan | $71.50 | $50.44 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.84 | $4.04 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.21 | $3.75 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.50 | $15.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $72.50 | $77.50 |
| Gym membership | $51.67 | $64.29 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Tacoma than in Madison.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Tacoma than in Madison.
- Eggs cost more in Tacoma than in Madison.
- Bread is more expensive in Tacoma than in Madison.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Tacoma than in Madison.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Tacoma than in Madison.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Tacoma than in Madison.
How life is different in Tacoma vs. Madison
| Tacoma | Madison | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,968 | 269,840 |
| Transportation score | 6 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 54 | 50 |
| Bike friendliness score | 48 | 66 |
| Crime index | 55.55 | 34.57 |
| Safety index | 44.45 | 65.43 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Madison's population is about 20% greater than Tacoma.
- Madison's public transportation score is within about 5% of Tacoma, making them very similar.
- Madison is less walkable than Tacoma with a score of 50 out of 100 vs Tacoma's 54 out of 100.
- With a score of 66 out of 100, Madison is more bike-friendly than Tacoma, which has a score of 48 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Madison's crime rate is lower than Tacoma with a score of 34.57 compared to Tacoma's 55.55. This means that Madison neighborhoods are safer than 34.57% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Tacoma neighborhoods are safer than 55.55%.
- Madison is considered to be safer than Tacoma with a safety index of 65.43 vs Tacoma's 44.45.
- Air quality in Madison is Good, and in Tacoma it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Tacoma to Madison move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: Movers providing in-state relocation services in the Badger State must register with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), but strictly speaking, it’s not a regulated state. However, movers must comply with individual insurance, licensing, and other state laws and regulations. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Wisconsin moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Wisconsin doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Madison smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. For a secure move in Wisconsin, explore movers' insurance options to safeguard your belongings. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Elevate your protection with discussions on Full Value Protection or explore customized plans from third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Wisconsin state moving insurance. Ensure a smooth and protected relocation experience with the right insurance coverage.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Madison
Now that you've chosen Mad City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Madison to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Madison
- Shorewood Hills
- Middleton
- Fitchburg
- Maple Bluff
- Monona
- Columbus
- Sun Prairie
- Lake Mills
- Verona
Best neighborhoods for families
- Dudgeon-Monroe
- Hill Farms-University
- Maple-Prairie
- Westmorland
- Wexford
Things to do in Madison
After getting comfortable in your new Wisconsin home, it's time to see what Madison is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Madison offers cultural landmarks like the Chazen Museum of Art, Madison Children's Museum, Wisconsin Veterans Museum, and Wisconsin Historical Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Olbrich Botanical Gardens, University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, Lake Mendota, and Allen Centennial Gardens — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA)Madison Mallards (Baseball)Madison Radicals (AUDL)Madison Capitols (United States Hockey League)Forward Madison (USL League One) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Madison?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Tacoma to Madison are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Tacoma are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Tacoma to Madison?
Because spring and fall moves from Tacoma to Madison are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Tacoma to Madison take?
A move of 1,916 miles from Tacoma, WA to Madison, WI generally takes five to 16 days. Movers in Tacoma sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Madison is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Tacoma?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 2 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 3 extend savings to senior citizens.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in Tacoma offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 47 movers in Tacoma have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 37 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across WA, there are 72 piano movers and 45 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
