Moving from Manchester, NH to Madison, WI
Relocating 1173 mi from Manchester to Madison is a 22h 30m drive through 9 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1173 mi Β· 22h 30m by car Β· WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA β NH
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA β NH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Rockford, Elgin, Aurora, Naperville, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Manchester | Madison | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.657 | 97.287 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.535 | 89.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.687 | 93.787 | 100.0 |
| Services | 134.22 | 99.748 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.9% moving from Manchester 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 for Madison ($423,767) sits close to Manchester ($435,334) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Manchester +1.5%, Madison +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Manchester | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 13Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 52.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 42.5" | 40.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 47.4Β°F vs 47.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MASSABESIC LAKE, NH US, UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Manchester | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 275,568 |
| Median household income | $77,415 | $76,983 |
| Median age | 37.9 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 33.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.19 |
Household income lines up β $77,415 vs $76,983 on ACS 5-year 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 New Hampshire 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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
- I-93 through Franconia Notch sees heavy winter weather β check NH 511.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Madison compared to Manchester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $423,767 in Madison vs $435,334 in Manchester β a 2.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Manchester to Madison?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1173 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Madison more expensive than Manchester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Madison is 7.9% lower than Manchester (97.287 vs 105.657, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Manchester vs Madison?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,983 in Madison vs $77,415 in Manchester β a 0.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Madison, WI from Manchester, NH?
The driving distance is 1173 mi and the route typically takes 22h 30m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 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 Manchester.
City profiles: Manchester, NH Β· Madison, WI.