Moving from Bellevue, WA to Madison, WI
It is 1914 mi and 33h 20m from Bellevue to Madison β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1914 mi Β· 33h 20m by car Β· WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Minneapolis, Fargo, Billings, Spokane Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bellevue | Madison | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 97.287 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 89.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.787 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 99.748 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 12.5% moving from Bellevue to Madison β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,516,154 in Bellevue to $423,767 in Madison, a 12.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Madison +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bellevue | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 40.2" |
Expect 6.0Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 275,568 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $76,983 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 33.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.19 |
Expect median household income to fall 12.5% β $161,300 β $76,983 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Madison MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 47,900 | $46,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,050 | $37,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 32,230 | $30,120 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 31,450 | $76,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 28,080 | $40,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Wisconsin
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Wisconsin's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Madison compare to Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,910 in the Madison MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue MSA, on total employment of 396,960 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Madison more expensive than Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Madison is 12.5% lower than Bellevue (97.287 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Madison, WI from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 1914 mi and the route typically takes 33h 20m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Bellevue to Madison?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1914 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Madison compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $423,767 in Madison vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue β a 72.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Bellevue vs Madison?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,983 in Madison vs $161,300 in Bellevue β a 52.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA Β· Madison, WI.