Rochester, NY to Madison, WI Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Rochester to Madison typically costs $2,400–$5,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 747 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
|
|
|
 rating
4.2 / 5
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
Cost to move from Rochester to Madison
Moving from Rochester, NY to Madison, WI typically costs $2,400–$5,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 747-mile move from Rochester 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
|
2-3 bedrooms
|
4+ bedrooms
|
Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $1,755 for a 4 bedroom using a moving container.
- Roadway Moving recently quoted $2,141 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
- Mayzlin Relocation recently quoted $4,687 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
4 Bedrooms
Feb 11, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 01, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 29, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 17, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 13, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 09, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 05, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 03, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 01, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 04, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Rochester to Madison
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $1,600, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $7,700.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Rochester, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($600–$1,600) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Madison, WI to Rochester, NY guide.
Best Rochester to Madison movers by type
Professional
|
Local
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best professional movers from Rochester to Madison
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Rochester to Madison, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
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 NY→WI movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 148 New York moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
- Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
- Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Rochester to Madison
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Madison runs about 1% higher for singles and 11% higher for families than Rochester.
Singles spend around $2,292 in Madison versus $2,274 in Rochester; families pay $5,457 compared with $4,921.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Rochester | Madison | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,527 | $1,693 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,240 | $3,100 |
| Average home value | $200,576 | $367,934 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,214 | $62,919 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,274 | $2,292 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,921 | $5,457 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.8% | 3.3% |
| Sales tax | 8.0% | 5.5% |
| State income tax | 10.9% | 7.65% |
- Rent is estimated to be 28% higher in Madison compared to Rochester; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 83% greater in Madison than in Rochester.
- Fortunately, the average income in Madison and Rochester is quite close, within a 5% range, so financial stability is likely.
- The cost of living for a single person is within about 5% of the same in Madison and Rochester, so you likely won’t notice a major difference.
- When relocating to Madison, it's important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Madison is 11% greater than in Rochester.
- Madison enjoys an unemployment rate that's roughly 66% lower compared to Rochester, suggesting better job prospects and a dynamic economy—an appealing prospect for new residents.
- Sales taxes drop 31% in Madison compared to Rochester, providing a relief on your cost of living, especially for frequent shoppers.
- Income taxes are 30% less in Wisconsin than in New York. With these lower tax rates, you can enjoy more take-home pay, simplifying your financial management.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Rochester and Madison:
| Living Expense | Rochester | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $143.37 | $215.88 |
| Cell phone plan | $50.69 | $50.44 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.79 | $4.04 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.94 | $3.75 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $15.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $90.00 | $77.50 |
| Gym membership | $50.77 | $64.29 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Rochester than in Madison, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Rochester than in Madison.
- Eggs are less expensive in Rochester than in Madison.
- Bread costs less in Rochester than in Madison.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Rochester than in Madison.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Rochester than in Madison.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Rochester than in Madison.
How life is different in Rochester vs. Madison
| Rochester | Madison | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,328 | 269,840 |
| Transportation score | 6 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 61 | 50 |
| Bike friendliness score | 60 | 66 |
| Crime index | 37.54 | 34.57 |
| Safety index | 36.66 | 65.43 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Madison's population is about 28% greater than Rochester.
- Madison's public transportation score is within about 5% of Rochester, making them very similar.
- Madison is less walkable than Rochester with a score of 50 out of 100 vs Rochester's 61 out of 100.
- With a score of 66 out of 100, Madison is more bike-friendly than Rochester, which has a score of 60 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 Rochester with a score of 34.57 compared to Rochester's 37.54. This means that Madison neighborhoods are safer than 34.57% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Rochester neighborhoods are safer than 37.54%.
- Madison is considered to be safer than Rochester with a safety index of 65.43 vs Rochester's 36.66.
- Air quality in Madison is Good, and in Rochester it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Rochester to Madison move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- 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. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Wisconsin moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Wisconsin doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Madison. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Madison
Now that you've decided to make the move to Mad City, these are the best neighborhoods to move to 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
Once you're settled into your new home in Wisconsin, it's time to get out and discover what Madison has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Madison, such as 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 — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites 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 Rochester to Madison?
The best time to move from Rochester to Madison is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Rochester.
When is the cheapest time to move from Rochester to Madison?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Rochester to Madison, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Rochester to Madison take?
Moving from Rochester, NY to Madison, WI covers 747 miles and usually takes one to six days. Need to move faster? Some Rochester movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Madison.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Rochester?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 7 movers in Rochester advertise piano moving expertise. 4 movers in Rochester provide antique moving services. State totals show 115 piano movers and 82 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,296 and 1,463.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
