Madison, WI to Olympia, WA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Madison to Olympia typically costs $3,900–$8,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,965 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Madison to Olympia
Moving from Madison, WI to Olympia, WA typically costs $3,900–$8,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,965-mile move from Madison to Olympia, 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
- Allied Van Lines recently quoted $7,443 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
- AB Moving recently quoted $7,868 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $3,471 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
3 Bedrooms
Feb 04, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 01, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 25, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 20, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 15, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 16, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 12, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 11, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 04, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Nov 25, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Madison to Olympia
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $2,800, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $13,000.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Madison, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($1,300–$3,700) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Olympia, WA to Madison, WI guide.
Best Madison to Olympia movers by type
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Madison to Olympia
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Madison to Olympia, 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→WA 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 Olympia
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Olympia runs about 8% higher for singles and -1% higher for families than Madison.
Singles spend around $2,473 in Olympia versus $2,292 in Madison; families pay $5,391 compared with $5,457.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Madison | Olympia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,693 | $1,675 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,100 | $2,817 |
| Average home value | $367,934 | $508,798 |
| Average income (per capita) | $62,919 | $66,492 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,292 | $2,473 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,457 | $5,391 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 5.6% |
| Sales tax | 5.5% | 9.4% |
| State income tax | 7.65% | 0.0% |
- Rent is estimated to be 18% higher in Olympia compared to Madison; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 38% greater in Olympia than in Madison.
- Here's some promising news: the average income is around 6% higher in Olympia than in Madison, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Olympia, since the cost of living for a single person in Olympia is 8% higher than in Madison. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family remains quite similar between Olympia and Madison, with only a marginal difference of 5% or less, so your expenses should remain steady.
- In Olympia, the unemployment rate is approximately 70% higher than in Madison, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
- Sales taxes rise by 71% in Olympia over Madison, leading to heightened expenses for everyday essentials.
- Washington has no income tax, meaning you keep more of your gross income, which can be a major advantage for salaried workers, freelancers, and retirees with taxable income.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Madison and Olympia:
| Living Expense | Madison | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $215.88 | $152.80 |
| Cell phone plan | $50.44 | $58.64 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.04 | $4.30 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.75 | $3.94 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $70.00 |
| Gym membership | $64.29 | $58.33 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Madison than in Olympia.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Madison than in Olympia.
- Eggs are less expensive in Madison than in Olympia.
- Bread costs less in Madison than in Olympia.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Madison than in Olympia.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Madison than in Olympia.
- Gym memberships cost more in Madison than in Olympia.
How life is different in Madison vs. Olympia
| Madison | Olympia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 269,840 | 55,605 |
| Transportation score | 6 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 50 | 39 |
| Bike friendliness score | 66 | 59 |
| Crime index | 34.57 | 27.95 |
| Safety index | 65.43 | 62.25 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Olympia's population is about 79% less than Madison.
- Olympia's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is lower than Madison's score of 6.
- Olympia is less walkable than Madison with a score of 39 out of 100 vs Madison's 50 out of 100.
- Olympia has a bike-friendliness score of 59 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Madison, which has a score of 66.
- Olympia's crime rate is lower than Madison with a score of 27.95 compared to Madison's 34.57. This means that Olympia neighborhoods are safer than 27.95% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Madison neighborhoods are safer than 34.57%.
- Olympia and Madison have a similar safety level, with scores of 62.25 and 65.43.
- Air quality in Olympia is Good, and in Madison it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Madison to Olympia 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: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Washington 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 Olympia. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Olympia
Now that you've decided to make the move to Oly, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Olympia.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- South Capitol
- Downtown
- Bigelow Highlands
- Upper Eastside
- Eastside
- North East
- Bigelow
- South Westside
- Woodfield Estates
- Wellington West
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bigelow Highlands
- Holiday Hills
- Woodfield Estates
- Eastside
- Cain Road
- Indian Creek
- Governor Stevens
- Bigelow
- Carlyon-North
- Wellington West
Things to do in Olympia
Once you're settled into your new home in Washington, it's time to get out and discover what Olympia has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Olympia, such as the Hands On Children's Museum, Olympic Flight Museum, WET Science Center, and Bigelow House Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Squaxin Park, Percival Landing, and Tolmie State 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 game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Madison to Olympia?
The best time to move from Madison to Olympia 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 Olympia?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Madison to Olympia, 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 Olympia take?
Moving from Madison, WI to Olympia, WA covers 1,965 miles and usually takes five to 16 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 Olympia.
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.
