Madison, WI to Richmond, VA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Madison to Richmond typically costs $2,900–$6,800 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 957 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Madison to Richmond
Moving from Madison, WI to Richmond, VA typically costs $2,900–$6,800 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 957-mile move from Madison to Richmond, 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 $4,300 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
- Mayzlin Relocation recently quoted $5,441 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- American Van Lines recently quoted $2,789 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
3 Bedrooms
Feb 17, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Feb 07, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Feb 02, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 10, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 30, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 29, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 25, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 25, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 09, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 01, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Madison to Richmond
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,400, but larger homes can run up to $9,600.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Madison.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($700–$1,900) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Richmond, VA to Madison, WI guide.
Best Madison to Richmond movers by type
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Madison to Richmond
For a stress-free interstate move from Madison to Richmond, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
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→VA movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 39 Wisconsin moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Madison to Richmond
Overall, Madison and Richmond land in a similar cost of living range, so your monthly outlay shouldn’t swing dramatically.
Singles average $2,270 in Richmond and $2,292 in Madison, while families in Richmond see $5,336 versus $5,457 in Madison.
Here’s how the everyday expenses compare across both cities:
| Madison | Richmond | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,693 | $1,537 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,100 | $2,539 |
| Average home value | $367,934 | $350,897 |
| Average income (per capita) | $62,919 | $59,606 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,292 | $2,270 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,457 | $5,336 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 7.1% |
| Sales tax | 5.5% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 7.65% | 5.75% |
- Your monthly budgeting won't require significant modification when moving from Madison to Richmond, as rent prices are comparably stable.
- Home prices are within about 5% of each other in Richmond and Madison, so there’s no need to change up your mortgage budget, unless you’re upgrading your living situation.
- The average income in Richmond and Madison is quite similar, within about 5%, so your finances should remain fairly stable.
- Since the cost of living for a single person is within 5% of the same in both Richmond and Madison, you shouldn't see much difference.
- You’ll find the cost of living for a family to be nearly equivalent in Richmond and Madison, with only a minor variance of about 5%, so you'll likely see minimal difference in daily expenses.
- The unemployment rate in Richmond is 115% higher compared to Madison, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are 9% higher in Richmond than in Madison. This means you'll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Income taxes are 25% lower in Virginia compared to Wisconsin. With these reduced income tax rates, your paycheck will reflect more of your earnings, allowing you greater freedom in managing your finances.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Madison with Richmond:
| Living Expense | Madison | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $215.88 | $148.21 |
| Cell phone plan | $50.44 | $51.67 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.04 | $4.95 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.75 | $3.66 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $100.00 |
| Gym membership | $64.29 | $59.72 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Madison than in Richmond.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Madison than in Richmond.
- Eggs are less expensive in Madison than in Richmond.
- Bread is more expensive in Madison than in Richmond.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Madison than in Richmond.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Madison than in Richmond.
- Gym memberships cost more in Madison than in Richmond.
How life is different in Madison vs. Richmond
| Madison | Richmond | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 269,840 | 226,610 |
| Transportation score | 6 | 7 |
| Walkability score | 50 | 51 |
| Bike friendliness score | 66 | 51 |
| Crime index | 34.57 | 48.45 |
| Safety index | 65.43 | 51.55 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Richmond's population is about 16% less than Madison.
- Richmond's public transportation score of 7 out of 10 is higher than Madison's score of 6.
- Richmond and Madison are similarly walkable.
- Richmond has a bike-friendliness score of 51 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Madison, which has a score of 66.
- Richmond's crime rate is higher than Madison with a score of 48.45 compared to Madison's 34.57. This means that Richmond neighborhoods are safer than 48.45% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Madison neighborhoods are safer than 34.57%.
- Richmond is considered to be less safe than Madison with a score of 51.55 vs Madison's 65.43.
- Air quality in Richmond is Good, and in Madison it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Madison to Richmond move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving 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: In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Virginia doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Richmond smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Richmond
Now that you've chosen Capital of the South as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Richmond to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Monroe Ward
- The Fan District
- The Museum District
- Woodland Heights
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bellevue
- Byrd Park
- Museum District
- Three Chopt
- Westover Hills
Things to do in Richmond
After getting comfortable in your new Virginia home, it's time to see what Richmond is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Richmond offers cultural landmarks like the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, White House of the Confederacy, Science Museum of Virginia, and Edgar Allan Poe Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Belle Isle, Libby Hill Park, Pony Pasture Park (James River Park System), and Capitol Square Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Richmond Kickers (USL League One)Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A East) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Madison to Richmond?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Madison to Richmond are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Madison are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Madison to Richmond?
Because spring and fall moves from Madison to Richmond 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 Richmond take?
A move of 957 miles from Madison, WI to Richmond, VA generally takes two to seven days. Movers in Madison sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Richmond is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which movers in Madison offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 3 movers in Madison have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 1 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across WI, there are 25 piano movers and 13 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
