Moving from Madison, WI to Santa Clarita, CA
A 1956 mi cross-country move between Madison and Santa Clarita is 34h 55m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1956 mi Β· 34h 55m by car Β· WI β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Santa Clarita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 16.7% above Madison β 97.287 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 16.8" |
Annual average temperature gap of 18.3Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Clarita β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 3.04 |
Santa Clarita households earn about 16.7% more than Madison at the median β $76,983 β $119,926 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Wisconsin and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 1956 mi and the route typically takes 34h 55m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Madison to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1956 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Madison vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $76,983 in Madison β a 55.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita is 16.7% higher than Madison (113.566 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $423,767 in Madison β a 89.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 396,960 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 Madison.
City profiles: Madison, WI Β· Santa Clarita, CA.