Moving from Seattle, WA to Madison, WI
A 1902 mi cross-country move between Seattle and Madison is 33h 31m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 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.
1902 mi Β· 33h 31m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β MN β WI
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β MN β WI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Renton, Kent |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Madison | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 97.287 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 89.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.787 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 99.748 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.5% cheaper overall in Madison than Seattle on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.5% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Madison +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Seattle | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 40.2" |
Annual temperature drops 6.0Β°F moving to Madison per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 275,568 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $76,983 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 33.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.19 |
Madison households earn about 12.5% less than Seattle at the median β $121,984 β $76,983 on ACS 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- 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 Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 1902 mi and the route typically takes 33h 31m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Madison compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $423,767 in Madison vs $868,680 in Seattle β a 51.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Madison compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,910 in the Madison MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 396,960 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Madison?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1902 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Madison more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Madison is 12.5% lower than Seattle (97.287 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Madison?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,983 in Madison vs $121,984 in Seattle β a 36.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA Β· Madison, WI.