Moving from Green Bay, WI to Madison, WI
Relocating between Green Bay, WI and Madison, WI is a 142 mi drive β 3h 7m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
142 mi Β· 3h 7m by car Β· WI
Distance & route
| Route through | WI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 151, I 41, US 41 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Green Bay | Madison | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.086 | 97.287 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.041 | 89.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 93.787 | 100.0 |
| Services | 74.696 | 99.748 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Green Bay +5.9%, Madison +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Green Bay | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 32.4" | 40.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: GREEN BAY BOTANICAL, WI US, UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Green Bay | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,585 | 275,568 |
| Median household income | $62,546 | $76,983 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 33.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.19 |
Expect median household income to rise 4.5% β $62,546 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.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Madison, WI from Green Bay, WI?
The driving distance is 142 mi and the route typically takes 3h 7m via US 151 and I 41. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Madison more expensive than Green Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Madison is 4.5% higher than Green Bay (97.287 vs 93.086, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Green Bay vs Madison?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,983 in Madison vs $62,546 in Green Bay β a 23.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Madison compared to Green Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $423,767 in Madison vs $278,024 in Green Bay β a 52.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Green Bay to Madison?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 142 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Madison compare to Green Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,910 in the Madison MSA vs $47,410 in the Green Bay MSA, on total employment of 396,960 and 171,590 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Green Bay.
City profiles: Green Bay, WI Β· Madison, WI.