Quick answer: A typical 935-mile move from Madison to Fort Collins runs $860–$7,647 and takes two to seven days. Price and timing vary based on how much stuff you are moving, move date, and choice of DIY or full-service.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Fort Collins to Madison guide.
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Best Professional Movers from Madison to Fort Collins
Choosing a long-distance mover for your move from Madison to Fort Collins can be tough. With so many options, it's hard to know which companies you can actually trust.
Skip the hassle of endless research — we've narrowed down the top choices for you. We picked these movers based on real reviews, competitive pricing, and the variety of services they offer.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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How we chose the best moving companies for your WI to CO move
The top local movers servicing Madison to Fort Collins moves
It's not always easy to find a reliable local moving company in Madison that also handles long-distance moves to Fort Collins. With so many options, figuring out which ones you can trust takes time.
Luckily, we've done the research for you. We evaluated the top local movers in Madison who offer long-distance services, looking at cost, service quality, and customer reviews.
These are the best local movers for your long-distance move from Madison to Fort Collins.
- The Armstrong Company: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Top Notch Moving and Storage: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Straightline Moving, Inc.: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- Schroeder Moving Systems Inc.: 4.72 out of 5 stars
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
State license #: 217042
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 3047914
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 78
DOT #: 514341
Alternate Names: Schroeder Moving Systems of Milwaukee
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Madison to Fort Collins?
Madison movers charge $85 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,525 - $5,853 | $963 - $2,416 | $812 - $1,419 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,188 - $7,647 | $1,838 - $3,607 | $860 - $1,846 |
4+ bedrooms | $5,243 - $10,609 | $2,376 - $4,542 | $1,058 - $2,136 |
Cost to hire movers from Wisconsin to Colorado
If you're moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Wisconsin to Colorado, you can expect to spend between $1,525 and $5,853. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $3,188 to $7,647 on the same route (WI to CO). Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from Wisconsin to Colorado typically runs between $5,243 and $10,609.
Cost of moving containers from Wisconsin to Colorado
If you're relocating from Wisconsin to Colorado, you'll typically spend between $963 and $2,416 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $1,838 up to $3,607. If you're moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $2,376 and $4,542. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Exploree our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Wisconsin.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Wisconsin to Colorado
Renting a moving truck is typically the most budget-friendly choice, but remember, you'll be responsible for all the heavy lifting, packing, and driving on your own.
If you're moving from a studio or one-bedroom place with a rental truck, expect to pay between $812 and $1,419. For a two- or three-bedroom move, costs usually range from $860 to $1,846. If you're tackling a four-bedroom or bigger move, your rental truck will likely run between $1,058 and $2,136.
Estimated fuel costs are already factored into these quotes.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Madison to Fort Collins
What to know before moving from Madison to Fort Collins
Moving from Madison to Fort Collins means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Madison than in Fort Collins, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Madison compares to Fort Collins so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Madison | Fort Collins | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,600 | $1,750 |
Average home value | $367,934 | $543,093 |
Average income (per capita) | $62,919 | $64,728 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,292 | $2,140 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,457 | $4,795 |
Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 5.6% |
Sales tax | 5.5% | 7.55% |
State income tax | 7.65% | 5.49% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Fort Collins, since prices are typically 9% higher than in Madison.
- The home prices in Fort Collins are 47.6% higher than in Madison, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You're likely to make a higher income living in Fort Collins, where incomes are, on average, 2.9% higher than in Madison. Major employers in Fort Collins include Advanced Energy Industries, RIMROCK, and Woodward.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Fort Collins. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 6.6% lower than in Madison.
- A move to Fort Collins 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 12.1% less than what it costs in Madison.
- The unemployment rate in Fort Collins is 69.70% higher than in Madison.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Fort Collins, since its sales taxes are 37.27% higher than what you are paying in Madison.
- One perk of moving to Fort Collins is paying less in state income taxes, which are 28.24% lower than in Madison.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,801.05 in Fort Collins to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Madison.
How life is different in Madison vs. Fort Collins
Fort Collins | Madison | |
---|---|---|
Population | 169,810 | 269,840 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 4 | 6 |
Walkability score | 37 | 50 |
Bike friendliness score | 78 | 66 |
Crime Index | 17.0 | 34.57 |
Safety Index | 72.86 | 65.43 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Fort Collins might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 37% less than Madison.
- Getting around Fort Collins without a car might be more difficult than in Madison. Fort Collins has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Madison is ranked 6. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Fort Collins neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Madison. Based on its score of 37 out of 100, Fort Collins isn't as walkable as Madison, which has a score of 50 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- If cycling is your thing, Fort Collins is considered more bike-friendly than Madison in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Fort Collins has a bike-friendliness score of 78 out of 100, while Madison is rated as 66 out of 100.
- Fort Collins has a lower crime rate than Madison based on scores of 17.0 and Madison's 34.57, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Fort Collins than in Madison, based on Fort Collins's safety index of 72.86 versus 65.43 for Madison. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Fort Collins and Madison is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Madison vs. Fort Collins move
- Weather: August, June and September are the best months to move in Fort Collins, while December and January are the least comfortable months. Summers in Fort Collins can be mild to hot. Winters can be relatively tolerable as well.
- HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- State licensing: The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (COPUC) regulates local and intrastate moving service providers in Colorado. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a Colorado moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in Colorado, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- 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 Fort Collins Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-free advantage, provided by movers with minimal coverage. Under this option, the mover's responsibility is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if your mover lost or damaged a valuable item, you would only receive compensation based on this limited valuation. If you seek comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, discuss alternative options with the moving company you're hiring or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Fort Collins
Now that you've chosen Fort Collins as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Fort Collins to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Old Town
- City Park
- Ram's Village
- Harmony Crossing
Best neighborhoods for families
- Old Town
- City Park
- Huntington Hills
- Harmony Crossing
Things to do in Fort Collins
Once you're settled into your new home in Colorado, it's time to get out and discover what Fort Collins has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Fort Collins, such as the Totally 80's Pizza & Museum, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, Museum of Art Fort Collins, and Center for Fine Art Photography.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Cache La Poudre River, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, Annual Flower Trial Garden, and Spring Canyon Community Park — along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Colorado State Rams (Mountain West) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Madison to Fort Collins?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Madison to Fort Collins You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Madison.
When is the cheapest time to move from Madison to Fort Collins?
Because spring and fall moves from Madison to Fort Collins 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 Madison to Fort Collins take?
The 935-mile journey from Madison, WI to Fort Collins, CO, typically takes two to seven days. Some movers in Madison offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Fort Collins.