Moving from Madison, WI to Round Rock, TX
Relocating 1192 mi from Madison to Round Rock is a 21h 34m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1192 mi · 21h 34m by car · WI → IA → MO → KS → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | WI → IA → MO → KS → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 470, US 151 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Round Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Madison to Round Rock — $423,767 vs $407,077 (2026-03).
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Round Rock -5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Round Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 124,288 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $97,187 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 28.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.66 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.8% — $76,983 → $97,187 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Round Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Wisconsin and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 — check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Madison to Round Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1192 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Round Rock compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Round Rock more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Round Rock is 0.8% higher than Madison (98.066 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Round Rock compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,077 in Round Rock vs $423,767 in Madison — a 3.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Madison vs Round Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,187 in Round Rock vs $76,983 in Madison — a 26.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Round Rock, TX from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 1192 mi and the route typically takes 21h 34m via I 35 and I 470. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Madison.
City profiles: Madison, WI · Round Rock, TX.