$937 Movers From Madison, WI to Iowa

Quick answer: The cost to move from Madison, WI to Iowa averages from $321 to $4,826 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a professional Madison moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Iowa to Madison, WI guide.

Moving from Madison, WI to Iowa resources

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Iowa. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving 252 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best Madison to Iowa moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company from Madison to Iowa is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Madison to Iowa.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
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(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
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(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
Get A Quote
(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to move from Madison, WI to Iowa?

Here are average prices of hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck when moving from Madison to Iowa:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $937 - $3,228 $583 - $1,493 $305 - $549
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,682 - $4,826 $1,125 - $2,003 $321 - $644
4+ bedrooms $2,096 - $5,862 $1,513 - $2,716 $384 - $744
get a quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 252 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from Madison, WI to Iowa will depend on:

  • Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Madison, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to hiring the pros.

How much does it cost to hire movers from Madison, WI to Iowa?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Madison to Iowa will cost between $937 to $3,228. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Madison to IA will range from $1,682 to $4,826, and a large move from Madison to Iowa will cost from $2,096 to $5,862.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Madison, WI to Iowa?

Moving pods from Madison to Iowa will cost you $583 to $1,493. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,125 to $2,003. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,513 to $2,716. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving containers for your move from Madison to Iowa.

How much is a moving truck from Madison, WI to Iowa?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $305 to $549. A larger move will cost $321 to $644, and a four-bedroom or bigger move from Madison to Iowa costs from $384 to $744.

Is moving from Madison, WI to Iowa a good idea?

If you’re moving to Iowa from Madison, WI, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Madison, WI vs Iowa

Madison, WI Iowa
Average rent cost $1,600 $806
Average home cost $367,934 $207,215
Average income (per capita) $62,919 $70,571
Unemployment rate 3.3% 3.2%
State income tax 7.65% 4.4%
  • Rent is about 93% less expensive in Iowa than in Madison.
  • Home prices are about 64.2% lower in Iowa than in Madison.
  • The average income is about 12.1% higher in Iowa than in Madison.
  • Iowa has a lower unemployment rate than Madison by about 2.4%.
  • Income taxes are 42.48% lower in Iowa than in Madison.

How is life different in Madison, WI from Iowa?

Madison, WI Iowa
Population 269,840 3,200,517
Political leaning Democratic 76-23 Republican 53-45
Summer high 82ºF 84ºF
Winter low 10ºF 10ºF
Annual rain 36" 35"
Annual snow 42" 30"
Crime index 34.57 18.7
  • The population of Iowa is approximately 1,086% greater than the population of Madison.
  • In the last presidential election, Iowa voted Republican and Madison voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Iowa is 84ºF and in Madison, it’s 82ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Iowa reaches the temperature of 10ºF and Madison gets down to 10ºF.
  • You can expect about 35 inches of annual rainfall in Iowa vs 36 inches of rainfall in Madison.
  • In Iowa, it snows about 30 inches annually vs 42 inches of snow in Madison.
  • Iowa has a lower crime rate than Madison with a crime index of 34.57 vs 18.7.

Considerations for moving to Iowa

  • Weather: Iowa has a humid continental climate throughout the state. Snowfall is common in Iowa. Spring brings in severe weather season. Iowa has about 50 thunderstorm days per year and has a tornado season. Iowa is known for hot and humid summers. Be sure to check the weather before your move, especially during the springtime..
  • 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 you’ll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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: When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means they’ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Iowa does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to Iowa. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local Madison movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Above Average Moving LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.9 overall rating
1416 Parkside Drive, Madison, WI, 53704
(608) 556-7980
EC Moving & Storage, Inc. Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
3230 Hogarth St, Eau Claire, WI, 54703
(715) 832-8161

Visit our best movers in Madison page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What to do in Iowa?

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Iowa.

Museums in Iowa

  • National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
  • Figge Art Museum
  • National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
  • The Putnam Museum & Science Center
  • Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
  • Union Pacific Railroad Museum
  • Buffalo Bill Museum
  • John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum
  • Old Capitol Museum
  • Okoboji Classic Cars
  • Des Moines Art Center
  • Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum
  • Pottawattamie County Squirrel Cage Jail and Museum
  • Sioux City Public Museum
  • State Historical Museum

Parks in Iowa

  • Vander Veer Botanical Park
  • Gray's Lake Park
  • Pappajohn Sculpture Park
  • Eagle Point Park
  • Terry Trueblood Recreational Area
  • Clear Lake State Park
  • Mines of Spain Recreation Area
  • Eagle Point Park
  • Raccoon River Park
  • Big Woods Lake Recreation Area
  • West Lake Park
  • Centennial Park
  • Effigy Mounds National Monument
  • Rand Park
  • Bayliss Park

Sports Teams in Iowa

  • Iowa Wolves (NBA G League)
  • Iowa Hawkeyes (NCAA)
  • Northern Iowa Panthers (NCAA)
  • Iowa State Cyclones (NCAA)
  • Drake Bulldogs (NCAA)

Universities in Iowa

  • Iowa State University
  • University of Iowa
  • University of Northern Iowa
  • Maharishi International University
  • Grinnell College
  • Drake University
  • Luther College
  • Cornell College
  • Wartburg College
  • St. Ambrose University
  • Dordt University
  • Central College
  • Coe College
  • Simpson College
  • Buena Vista University

Moving from Madison to Iowa FAQs

Why are people moving from Madison to Iowa?

Many people are moving to Iowa because of low cost of living and ample economic opportunity.

Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies from Madison?

Here are our top picks for the best long-distance movers in Madison.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Iowa