($1,163+) Tacoma, WA to Madison, WI Movers
Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Madison, WI, runs anywhere from $1,163 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,567 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,916 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,678, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $12,567 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,537 - $5,714, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,163 - $3,203.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tacoma, WA, to Madison, WI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,809 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Tacoma, WA to Madison, WI
There are 3 main ways to move from Tacoma to Madison: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,809 - $8,021. Moving containers run about 45% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 67% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 5 to 16 days for this 1,916-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,916-mile route from Tacoma to Madison, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,678 - $5,697, container $1,537 - $2,940, rental truck $1,163 - $2,198, freight trailer $1,396 - $2,593.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,809 - $8,021, container $2,107 - $4,243, rental truck $1,259 - $2,412, freight trailer $1,669 - $3,295.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $7,277 - $12,567, container $2,801 - $5,714, rental truck $1,528 - $3,203, freight trailer $2,262 - $4,572.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Tacoma, WA to Madison, WI
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,916-mile move from Tacoma, Washington, to Madison, Wisconsin, with prices running from $2,678 - $12,567. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $345 - $2,300 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Tacoma and Madison are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Tacoma movers tend to run around $316 as a base rate plus $133/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tacoma to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,678 - $5,697
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,809 - $8,021
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,277 - $12,567
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Tacoma to Madison.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Tacoma, WA to Madison, WI
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Tacoma movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Madison, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing68% of local movers | $575 - $5,750 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $230 - $1,380/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $345 - $2,760 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $1,150 - $3,450 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,875 - $11,500 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $861 - $1,636 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Triple 7 Movers | $1,150 - $2,875 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Triple 7 Movers | $920 - $4,025 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $345 - $1,725 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Triple 7 Movers | $748 - $2,300 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $345 - $17,250+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $345 - $4,025+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tacoma to Madison?
Movers licensed to operate in Wisconsin are typically members of the Wisconsin Movers Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Tacoma, WA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Tacoma, WA to Madison, WI
Moving containers from Tacoma, Washington, to Madison, Wisconsin, cost between $1,537 and $5,714. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Tacoma costs roughly $110/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tacoma to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,537 - $2,940
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,107 - $4,243
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,801 - $5,714
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $86 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $173 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Madison, WI, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $805 in Tacoma, WA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Washington to Wisconsin move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,537. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $2,107 - $4,243.
What are the best moving containers Tacoma to Madison?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Tacoma to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Tacoma:
- All Ready Moving & Storage (5.0/5), 22 years in business
- A2B Moving & Storage, LLC (4.5/5), 16 years in business
- Mountain Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 63 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tacoma, WA to Madison, WI
Truck rentals from Tacoma, Washington, to Madison, Wisconsin, range from $1,163 - $3,203 for the 1,916-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $701 - $801
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Tacoma daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.89
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Tacoma to Madison based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,163 - $2,198
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,259 - $2,412
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,528 - $3,203
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Tacoma to Madison starts at $1,163 - $3,203, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($701 - $801), overnight lodging ($173/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $86 and $403.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $173.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $701 and $801 for the 1,916-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $805 for 2 movers in Tacoma, Washington, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tacoma to Madison?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Tacoma, WA to Madison, WI
For larger DIY moves from Tacoma, Washington, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Madison, Wisconsin.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,669 and $3,295.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tacoma to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,396 - $2,593
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,669 - $3,295
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,262 - $4,572
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Tacoma, Washington, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $805.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $86 and $173 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Tacoma to Madison?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Tacoma to Madison. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Tacoma, WA vs Madison, WI
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Madison, side by side with Tacoma on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tacoma, WA | Madison, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 123 | 103 |
| Average rent | $1,650/mo | $1,600/mo |
| Median home value | $454,577 | $346,854 |
| Average income | $83,857/yr | $76,983/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3% | 3.3% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 7.65% |
| Walkability score | 54/100 | 50/100 |
| Safety index | 44.45/100 | 65.43/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Madison, WI to Tacoma, WA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Washington to Wisconsin in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 265 movers based in Washington, handy for sizing up options on this 1,916-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Tacoma, WA, to Madison, WI, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,678 for a studio to $12,567 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,916-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,537 - $5,714. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,163 - $3,203, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,809 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Datex Ohmeda and American Family Insurance.
FAQs: Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Madison, WI
How do I know a mover is licensed in Wisconsin?
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.
What are the best neighborhoods in Madison?
For families, Dudgeon-Monroe, Hill Farms-University, and Maple-Prairie are worth a look in Madison. If you're moving solo or without kids, Madison, Shorewood Hills, and Middleton tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Madison?
Madison has a walkability score of 50 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 66, compared to 54 and 48 in Tacoma. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Madison a safe place to live?
Madison has a safety index of 65.43 out of 100 and a crime index of 34.57, compared to 44.45 and 55.55 in Tacoma. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Tacoma, WA to Madison, WI?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What percentage of Tacoma movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Tacoma handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.