Moving from Tacoma, WA to Madison, WI
Cross-country relocations like Tacoma, WA β Madison, WI cover 1936 mi and about 33h 50m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1936 mi Β· 33h 50m by car Β· WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Minneapolis, Fargo, Billings, Spokane Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | 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 |
Madison is 12.5% cheaper than Tacoma overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Madison is 12.5% below Tacoma ($423,767 vs $493,840 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Madison +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 40.2" |
Climate cools by 6.5Β°F on the annual average β 53.7Β°F β 47.2Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 275,568 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $76,983 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 33.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.19 |
Income steps down 12.5%: $83,857 in Tacoma vs $76,983 in Madison.
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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Madison compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,910 in the Madison MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma 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.
How far is Madison, WI from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 1936 mi and the route typically takes 33h 50m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Madison?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,983 in Madison vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 8.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Madison compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $423,767 in Madison vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 14.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Madison?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1936 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Madison more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Madison is 12.5% lower than Tacoma (97.287 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Madison, WI.