Madison, WI to Rochester, NY Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Madison to Rochester typically costs $2,500–$6,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 756 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Madison to Rochester
Moving from Madison, WI to Rochester, NY typically costs $2,500–$6,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 756-mile move from Madison to Rochester, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- AB Moving recently quoted $3,343 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- PODS recently quoted $1,644 for a 1 bedroom (small) using a moving container.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $2,231 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
2 Bedrooms
Jan 31, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 26, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 22, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 14, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 01, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Dec 31, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 28, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 22, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 15, 2025
Studio apartment
Nov 28, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Madison to Rochester
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $1,800, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $9,400.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Madison, 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 Rochester, NY to Madison, WI guide.
Best Madison to Rochester movers by type
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Local
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Madison to Rochester
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Madison to Rochester, 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 WI→NY movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 39 Wisconsin 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 Madison to Rochester
Many movers find Rochester easier on the wallet than Madison - roughly 1% less for singles and 10% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,274 for one person in Rochester versus $2,292 in Madison. For a family of four, it's $4,921 compared with $5,457.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Madison | Rochester | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,693 | $1,527 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,100 | $2,240 |
| Average home value | $367,934 | $200,576 |
| Average income (per capita) | $62,919 | $64,214 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,292 | $2,274 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,457 | $4,921 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 9.8% |
| Sales tax | 5.5% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | 7.65% | 10.9% |
- If you're heading to Rochester from Madison, you'll find that rent is roughly 22% cheaper, potentially boosting your monthly savings.
- Your budget can breathe easier with home prices being close to 45% less in Rochester than in Madison.
- Fortunately, the average income in Rochester and Madison 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 Rochester and Madison, so you likely won’t notice a major difference.
- Choosing to move to Rochester can significantly lower your family's regular expenses, such as utilities, transport, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 10% less than in Madison.
- In Rochester, the unemployment rate is approximately 197% higher than in Madison, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
- Sales taxes rise by 45% in Rochester over Madison, leading to heightened expenses for everyday essentials.
- Income taxes are 42% higher in New York than in Wisconsin, meaning that a larger fraction of your income will be spent on state taxes, potentially reducing your savings.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Madison and Rochester:
| Living Expense | Madison | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $215.88 | $143.37 |
| Cell phone plan | $50.44 | $50.69 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.04 | $3.79 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.75 | $2.94 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $90.00 |
| Gym membership | $64.29 | $50.77 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Madison than in Rochester.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Madison than in Rochester.
- Eggs cost more in Madison than in Rochester.
- Bread is more expensive in Madison than in Rochester.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Madison than in Rochester.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Madison than in Rochester.
- Gym memberships cost more in Madison than in Rochester.
How life is different in Madison vs. Rochester
| Madison | Rochester | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 269,840 | 211,328 |
| Transportation score | 6 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 50 | 61 |
| Bike friendliness score | 66 | 60 |
| Crime index | 34.57 | 37.54 |
| Safety index | 65.43 | 36.66 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Rochester's population is about 22% less than Madison.
- Rochester's public transportation score is within about 5% of Madison, making them very similar.
- Rochester is more walkable than Madison with a score of 61 out of 100 vs Madison's 50 out of 100.
- Rochester has a bike-friendliness score of 60 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Madison, which has a score of 66.
- Rochester's crime rate is higher than Madison with a score of 37.54 compared to Madison's 34.57. This means that Rochester neighborhoods are safer than 37.54% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Madison neighborhoods are safer than 34.57%.
- Rochester is considered to be less safe than Madison with a score of 36.66 vs Madison's 65.43.
- Air quality in Rochester is Good, and in Madison it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Madison to Rochester 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: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a New York moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: New York 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 Rochester. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Rochester
Now that you've decided to make the move to The Flour City, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Rochester.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- East Avenue
- Swillburg
- South Wedge
- Park Avenue
- Downtown
- Strong
- Ellwanger-Barry
Best neighborhoods for families
- Cobbs Hill
- Upper Monroe
- Strong
- Swillburg
- Browncroft
- Park Avenue
Things to do in Rochester
Once you're settled into your new home in New York, it's time to get out and discover what Rochester has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Rochester, such as the The Strong National Museum of Play, George Eastman Museum, National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House, and ARTISANworks.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Seabreeze Amusement Park, Highland Park, Erie Canal Trail, and Cobbs Hill Park — 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 Rochester Americans (AHL)Roberts Wesleyan Redhawks (ECC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Madison to Rochester?
The best time to move from Madison to Rochester is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Madison.
When is the cheapest time to move from Madison to Rochester?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Madison to Rochester, 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 Madison to Rochester take?
Moving from Madison, WI to Rochester, NY covers 756 miles and usually takes two to seven days. Need to move faster? Some Madison movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Rochester.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Madison?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 3 movers in Madison advertise piano moving expertise. 1 movers in Madison provide antique moving services. State totals show 25 piano movers and 13 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.
