Local moving companies in Madison
- Dreiske Moving & Storage: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Schroeder Moving Systems Inc.: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Armstrong relocation: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- Straightline Moving, Inc.: 4.38 out of 5 stars
Dreiske Moving & Storage

DOT #: 822740
Moving day peace of mind stands out in customer input for Dreiske Moving & Storage. After reviewing 263 responses, 84% reported positive experiences. Dreiske's team gets frequent praise for professionalism, careful handling of belongings, efficiency, and friendly, helpful staffโqualities few competitors match as consistently. Customers found their moves smooth and felt their valuables were treated with respect and caution. Some felt pricing was fair and the process clear, adding to their confidence. While many moves went off without a hitch, negative feedback focused on damaged items, communication breakdowns during claims, and charges higher than expected. In a few cases, customers described unresolved damage or confusion over final costs. Most customers felt their team was capable and courteous, but sustained negative reports indicate Dreiske can improve transparency and claims support. For reliability and a professional, considerate staff, Dreiske receives high marks but should address damage control and billing communication more thoroughly to surpass industry standards.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 822740
- State license #: 69338
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

DOT #: 2527384
Years in Business: 31
3817 Kipp Street, Madison, WI 53718 USSmooth moves and professional crews are frequent themes found in the 286 feedback entries for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. Nearly 80% of input praises their efficient service, skilled and polite movers, careful handling of belongings, responsive communication, and fast-moving teams. Many note seamless scheduling, prompt arrivals, and property treated with respect. While most find the staff courteous and the process smooth, over one-fifth raise concerns, especially about damage to items, inaccurate estimates, and unexpected charges. Some reported broken furniture, billing surprises, or unresolved claims, with a few experiencing high costs or responses slower than agreed. Compared to many moving companies, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK receives above-average marks for professionalism and care, but feedback underscores the importance of vigilant inventory tracking and clear, accurate quoting before booking.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2527384
Alternative Business Names
- Lightner & Lightner, Inc.
Schroeder Moving Systems Inc.

DOT #: 514341
Years in Business: 78
15700 W Lincoln, New Berlin, WI 53151 USMoving with Schroeder Moving Systems Inc. means reliable service and a professional team. Analyzing 92 pieces of feedback, about 75% rated their move positively. Customers mention the moversโ polite approach, careful treatment of belongings, and smooth, consistent communication. Many praised efficient handling and said they would highly recommend Schroeder to friends and family. Some noted fast, stress-free service and clear organization throughout the process. On the other hand, negative input points to issues such as items damaged during moves, sudden extra charges, and rare cases of misplaced property. Delayed or mishandled claims and confusing reimbursement for damage reported by a few set Schroeder apart from the top tier of national movers. Still, their strong rate of satisfied customers stands out compared to many moving companies.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 514341
Alternative Business Names
- Schroeder Moving Systems of Milwaukee
Armstrong relocation

DOT #: 1170867
Years in Business: 39
4505 Helgesen Dr, Madison, WI 53718 USArmstrong Relocation stands out for its responsive, professional, and courteous staff. Customers frequently praise their careful handling of belongings, clear communication, and efficient moving process. Many mention friendly movers who are eager to help, making the experience less stressful than other moving services. Feedback often notes accurate estimates and competitive pricing, outshining many industry competitors. Negative feedback focuses on item damage during moves, dissatisfaction with claims resolutions, and occasional unprofessional interactions or lowballed estimates. Among 57 reviews analyzed, 77% are positive, with most input stressing reliability and care, while negative experiences center around damage and communication. Compared to other movers, Armstrong earns strong marks for customer service and careful handling, but could improve on damage prevention and clarity in estimates.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1170867
Alternative Business Names
- Armstrong Transfer & Storage Co., Inc.
- Armstrong Relocation & Commercial Services
- The Armstrong Company
Straightline Moving, Inc.

DOT #: 3047914
Years in Business: 7
5365 Edith Ln, Roscoe, IL 61073 USCustomers repeatedly highlight Straightline Moving, Inc. for their professional staff, careful handling, and fast, efficient moves. Nearly 88% of 230 customer feedback entries are positive. People appreciate transparent pricing and prompt, organized service. Many mention that crews handle possessions with care and communicate well throughout the process, providing peace of mind even with heavy or challenging items. Negative feedback centers on damaged goods, missing items, and delivery delays, with some reporting frustration resolving claims. These issues stand out but are mentioned far less frequently. Compared to other companies, Straightlineโs strength is consistently courteous, skilled movers. Most clients report stress-free experiences and recommend the company for both local and long-distance moves. Straightline Moving excels at the core expectations of a moving company, but improvements could be made in claims response and inventory tracking to achieve a higher satisfaction rate.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3047914
- State license #: 217042
Key factors that impact the cost of your Madison to Seattle move
What to know before moving from Madison to Seattle
Moving from Madison to Seattle comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Seattle is generally more expensive than Madison, itโs important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Madison | Seattle | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,600 | $1,975 |
Average home value | $367,934 | $842,068 |
Average income (per capita) | $62,919 | $77,845 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,292 | $3,740 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,457 | $9,801 |
Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 4.8% |
Sales tax | 5.5% | 10.35% |
State income tax | 7.65% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Seattle are 23% higher than in Madison, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Madison.
Home prices in Seattle are 128.9% higher than in Madison. - Income in Seattle is 23.7% higher than in Madison, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Seattle include Amazon.com, Starbucks, and Costco Wholesale.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Seattle, since the cost of living for a single person in Seattle is 63.2% higher than in Madison. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Seattle, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Seattle is 79.6% higher than in Madison.
- The unemployment rate in Seattle is 45.45% higher than in Madison.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in Seattle, since the cityโs sales taxes in Seattle are 88.18% higher than in Madison.
- One perk of moving to Seattle is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Madison.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,895.29 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Madison.
How life is different in Madison vs. Seattle
Seattle | Madison | |
---|---|---|
Population | 737,015 | 269,840 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 8 | 6 |
Walkability score | 74 | 50 |
Bike friendliness score | 71 | 66 |
Crime Index | 58.88 | 34.57 |
Safety Index | 49.23 | 65.43 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Seattle is about 173% greater than Madison, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Seattle offers better access to buses and trains than Madison, based on public transportation ratings. Seattle has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 6 in Madison. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Seattle means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Madison. Seattle is considered more walkable than Madison, with a score of 74 out of 100 versus 50 out of 100 in Madison. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Seattle 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. Seattle has a bike-friendliness score of 71 out of 100, while Madison is rated as 66 out of 100.
- The crime rate in Seattle is higher than in Madison, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 58.88 in Seattle, it is 34.57 in Madison. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโs crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as youโre getting used to your new surroundings in Seattle. With a crime index of 49.23, Seattle ranks lower in overall safety than Madison, whose index is Madison's 65.43. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- The air quality in Seattle 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. Seattle move
- Weather: Although Seattle has a reputation for frequent rain, the climate in Seattle is very unlikely to affect your move.
- HOA rules: Itโs a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, itโs a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving companyโs license in Washington, visit the state's public utilities commission
- Moving permits: While Washington doesnโt mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Seattle without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Seattle
With your sights set on "Emerald City", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Seattle.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Ballard
- Capitol Hill
- Fremont
- Lower Queen Anne
- South Lake Union
Best neighborhoods for families
- Greenwood
- Laurelhurst
- Magnolia
- Upper Queen Anne
- West Seattle
Things to do in Seattle
Once youโre settled into your new home in Washington, itโs time to get out and discover what Seattle has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโs something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Seattle features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Museum of Popular Culture (MoPOP), Olympic Sculpture Park, National Nordic Museum, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and Museum of Flight.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Discovery Park, Olympic Sculpture Park, Green Lake Park, and Carkeek Park โ among other spots โ perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Kraken (NHL), or Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Madison to Seattle?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Madison to Seattle 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 Seattle?
With many people choosing to move from Madison to Seattle in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Madison to Seattle take?
Moving from Madison, WI to Seattle, WA covers 1,924 miles and usually takes five to 16 days. Need to move faster? Some Madison movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Seattle.