New Orleans, LA to Madison, WI Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

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Quick answer: Moving from New Orleans to Madison typically costs $3,000–$7,100 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,034 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.

moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.9 / 5
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  • Best overall value
  • Veteran owned
  • Portion to charity
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.9 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience

Cost to move from New Orleans to Madison

Moving from New Orleans, LA to Madison, WI typically costs $3,000–$7,100 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.

The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,034-mile move from New Orleans to Madison, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.

Studio Icon

Studio / 1 bedroom

  • Moving Company $2,400 - $5,600
  • Moving Container $1,400 - $2,400
  • Rental Truck $700 - $1,500
Two Three Bed Icon

2-3 bedrooms

  • Moving Company $3,000 - $7,100
  • Moving Container $1,700 - $3,200
  • Rental Truck $800 - $1,700
Four Bed Icon

4+ bedrooms

  • Moving Company $4,700 - $9,200
  • Moving Container $2,300 - $4,400
  • Rental Truck $1,000 - $2,100

Recent moving quotes for similar moves

  • American Van Lines recently quoted $6,068 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
  • North American Van Lines recently quoted $3,670 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
  • Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $960 for a 2 bedroom using a rental truck.
Recent Moving Price Estimates
The following are real, anonymized quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 48 hours. Prices change with dates and availability; use these as a ballpark, not a guarantee.
American Van Lines
Westwego, LA Johnson Creek, WI
Icon of a house 4 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Feb 16, 2026
North American Van Lines
Gramercy, LA Marshall, WI
Icon of a house Studio apartment
Icon of a calendar Feb 16, 2026
Budget Truck Rental
Lockport, LA Oregon, WI
Icon of a house 2 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Feb 09, 2026
United Van Lines
Belle Chasse, LA McFarland, WI
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (small)
Icon of a calendar Jan 26, 2026
Roadway Moving
Harvey, LA Baraboo, WI
Icon of a house 2 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 18, 2026
Mayflower Transit
Pearl River, LA Stoughton, WI
Icon of a house 3 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 10, 2026
AB Moving
Estelle, LA Lodi, WI
Icon of a house 3 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 01, 2026
PODS
Terrytown, LA Prairie du Sac, WI
Icon of a house 3 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Dec 27, 2025
Safeway Moving
Lutcher, LA Doylestown, WI
Icon of a house 5+ Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Dec 12, 2025
Mayzlin Relocation
Pleasure Bend, LA Hollandale, WI
Icon of a house 2 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Dec 08, 2025

Key factors that impact the cost of your New Orleans to Madison move

Your total cost will depend on:

  • Home size: The number of rooms makes a big difference. Expect around $2,400 for a one-bedroom, or up to $9,200 for a four-bedroom.
  • The time of year you're moving: Rates climb in summer because of peak season demand in New Orleans.
  • DIY vs. professional: Rental trucks can range from $700 to $2,100, but require more effort than hiring movers.

Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Madison, WI to New Orleans, LA guide.

Best New Orleans to Madison movers by type

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Professional
Local Movers Icon
Local
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Container
Rental Truck Icon
Rental Truck
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Labor Only

Best professional movers from New Orleans to Madison

Opting for a full-service mover can make your interstate move from New Orleans to Madison much easier by letting professionals manage the entire process. This choice allows you to focus on what matters most instead of the logistics of moving.

Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.

  1. Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  2. American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  3. Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
  4. Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  5. North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Safeway Moving
checkmark Best overall value
checkmark Veteran owned
checkmark Portion to charity
American Van Lines
checkmark Certified crews
checkmark Flat-rate pricing
checkmark Family-owned
Allied Van Lines
checkmark Specialty packing services
checkmark White-glove reputation
checkmark 80+ years' experience
Mayzlin Relocation
checkmark Family owned
checkmark East coast focus
checkmark Affordable pricing
North American Van Lines
checkmark 1,800 trucks
checkmark Storage available
checkmark Customized moving plans

How we chose the best LA→WI movers

The experienced professionals at moveBuddha reviewed moving rates from 32 Louisiana movers, pinpointing the highest-rated services by analyzing satisfaction metrics, reviews, and overall cost.

  • Customer satisfaction (40%): The business consistently meets deadlines, communicates clearly with clients, and remains within the expected spending limits.
  • Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
  • Industry reputation (15%): This mover maintains a strong reputation among industry peers and is active in professional associations and events.
  • Online reputation (15%): A polished, accurate website and quick, respectful responses to online inquiries reflect the company’s strong digital presence.
  • Service options (10%): A broad service menu matters. We value movers that cover everything from packing and storage to unique item care and speedy delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

What to know before moving from New Orleans to Madison

Many movers find Madison easier on the wallet than New Orleans - roughly 27% less for singles and 31% less for families.

Monthly basics average $2,292 for one person in Madison versus $3,134 in New Orleans. For a family of four, it's $5,457 compared with $7,905.

See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:

New Orleans Madison
Average 1 BR rent $1,813 $1,693
Average 3 BR rent $3,150 $3,100
Average home value $231,649 $367,934
Average income (per capita) $51,116 $62,919
Cost of living (single) $3,134 $2,292
Cost of living (family of four) $7,905 $5,457
Unemployment rate 11.0% 3.3%
Sales tax 10.0% 5.5%
State income tax 4.25% 7.65%
  • When relocating from New Orleans to Madison, expect to find rent about 9% cheaper, letting you enjoy more financial freedom monthly.
  • Anticipate a larger mortgage expense since home prices in Madison are about 59% higher than those in New Orleans.
  • Exciting update: you'll see an average income that's about 23% higher in Madison compared to New Orleans, which might allow for more savings or investments.
  • You'll save on routine expenses like food, gas, and utilities in Madison, as the cost of living for a single person is 27% lower compared to New Orleans.
  • A move to Madison can help cut down on a family's routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 31% less than what it costs in New Orleans.
  • The unemployment rate in Madison is about 70% lower than in New Orleans. This is often a positive indicator of a robust job market and economic health, beneficial if you plan to move there.
  • Sales taxes are 45% less in Madison relative to New Orleans. This will help shrink your living expenses, especially if you tend to buy more taxable goods.
  • Income taxes in Wisconsin are 80% above those in Louisiana. Consequently, more of your income may be allocated to tax payments, which could diminish your overall earnings.

See how the cost of everyday necessities and regular monthly payments differs between New Orleans and Madison:

Living Expense New Orleans Madison
Basic utilities $244.46 $215.88
Cell phone plan $58.50 $50.44
Dozen eggs $4.35 $4.04
Loaf of bread $4.03 $3.75
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) $25.50 $15.00
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) $124.00 $77.50
Gym membership $61.75 $64.29
  • Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in New Orleans than in Madison.
  • Cell phone plans typically cost more in New Orleans than in Madison.
  • Eggs cost more in New Orleans than in Madison.
  • Bread is more expensive in New Orleans than in Madison.
  • A quick meal tends to cost more in New Orleans than in Madison.
  • A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in New Orleans than in Madison.
  • Gym memberships are more affordable in New Orleans than in Madison.

How life is different in New Orleans vs. Madison

New Orleans Madison
Population 383,997 269,840
Transportation score 7 6
Walkability score 58 50
Bike friendliness score 66 66
Crime index 67.31 34.57
Safety index 32.69 65.43
Air quality Good Good
  • Madison's population is about 30% less than New Orleans.
  • Madison's public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is lower than New Orleans's score of 7.
  • Madison is less walkable than New Orleans with a score of 50 out of 100 vs New Orleans's 58 out of 100.
  • Both Madison and New Orleans have similar bike-friendliness scores (66 vs 66), meaning Madison is about as safe for cyclists as New Orleans. Typically, cities with scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though higher scores mean better cycling accessibility.
  • Madison's crime rate is lower than New Orleans with a score of 34.57 compared to New Orleans's 67.31. This means that Madison neighborhoods are safer than 34.57% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and New Orleans neighborhoods are safer than 67.31%.
  • Madison is considered to be safer than New Orleans with a safety index of 65.43 vs New Orleans's 32.69.
  • Air quality in Madison is Good, and in New Orleans it's Good.

Other things to consider for your New Orleans to Madison move

  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
  • Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
  • 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: Wisconsin’s public utilities commission provides official mover license verification.
  • Moving Permits: Wisconsin does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
  • Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Madison. Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Madison

Planning your move to Mad City? Take a look at our picks for the best neighborhoods to call home in Madison.

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 settling into your new Wisconsin home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Madison has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Madison features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including 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 — along with other locations — ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
  • Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at 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 New Orleans to Madison?

Planning your move from New Orleans to Madison? Aim for spring or fall when the weather is pleasant and demand is lower, helping you avoid peak-season rates in New Orleans.

When is the cheapest time to move from New Orleans to Madison?

Because most people are moving from New Orleans to Madison in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from New Orleans to Madison take?

The 1,034-mile journey from New Orleans, LA to Madison, WI, typically takes two to eight days. Some movers in New Orleans offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Madison.

Are there special savings available from movers in New Orleans?

Several movers here offer discounted rates that can help lower your total moving costs. 1 provide savings for AAA members.

These offers can vary widely, so it’s best to verify details with the mover before booking.

Are piano and antique moving services available in New Orleans?

Not all movers have the resources to handle high-value or delicate items. In New Orleans, 7 movers can manage piano relocations. 3 movers are equipped for antique transport. By comparison, Louisiana has 18 piano movers and 11 antique movers, while nationwide there are 2,296 and 1,463 respectively.

Always confirm the mover’s experience and packing methods for fragile or specialty items before booking.