Moving from Fargo, ND to Madison, WI
The drive from Fargo, ND to Madison, WI runs 501 mi β about 9h 29m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
501 mi Β· 9h 29m by car Β· WI β MN β ND
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β MN β ND |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 12 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Minneapolis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fargo | Madison | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 97.287 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 89.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 93.787 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 99.748 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.1% pricier overall in Madison than Fargo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Madison typical home at $423,767 is 7.1% above Fargo at $314,973 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, Madison +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 40.2" |
Climate warms by 5.8Β°F on the annual average β 41.4Β°F β 47.2Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 275,568 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $76,983 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 33.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.19 |
Income steps up 7.1%: $66,029 in Fargo vs $76,983 in Madison.
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 North Dakota 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Madison, WI from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 501 mi and the route typically takes 9h 29m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Madison compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $423,767 in Madison vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 34.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs Madison?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,983 in Madison vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 16.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Madison compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,910 in the Madison MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 396,960 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Madison more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Madison is 7.1% higher than Fargo (97.287 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to Madison?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 501 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· Madison, WI.