($956) Moving from Des Moines to Madison
Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Madison costs $344 to $4,487 and takes one-four days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 288-mile move yourself.
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from Des Moines will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Madison to Des Moines guide.
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The best Des Moines to Madison moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to Madison is a big deal. There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Des Moines to Madison.
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- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Madison?
Des Moines movers charge $142 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $956 - $3,242 | $590 - $1,409 | $314 - $540 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,571 - $4,487 | $1,104 - $2,010 | $344 - $646 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,332 - $6,189 | $1,546 - $2,651 | $401 - $795 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Madison
The cost of Des Moines movers will depend on:
- Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Des Moines to Madison can be as low as $956 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $5,225.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $314 to $719. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to Madison?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Madison will cost between $956 to $3,242. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,571 to $4,487, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Madison will cost from $2,332 to $6,189.
How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Madison?
Moving containers from Des Moines to Madison will cost you $590 to $1,409 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,104 to $2,010. A larger home will cost $1,546 to $2,651.
How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Madison?
Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $314 to $540. A larger move will cost $344 to $646, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Madison costs from $401 to $795. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Madison
Cost of living: Des Moines vs Madison
| Des Moines | Madison | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,150 | $1,600 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $367,934 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $62,919 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $1,891 | $2,292 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $5,457 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 3.3% |
| Sales Tax | 7.0% | 5.5% |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 7.65% |
- Rent prices in Madison are 39% higher than in Des Moines.
- Home prices in Madison are 91.3% higher than in Des Moines.
- Income in Madison is 7.6% higher than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a single person in Madison is 21.2% higher than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a family in Madison is 24.6% higher than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Madison is 44.07% lower than in Des Moines.
- Sales taxes in Madison are 21.43% lower than in Des Moines.
- State income taxes in Madison are 73.86% higher than in Des Moines.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $3,636.17 in Madison to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.
How is life different in Des Moines compared to Madison?
| Madison | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 269,840 | 699,292 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 50 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 66 | 39 |
| Crime Index | 34.57 | 5.0 |
| Safety Index | 65.43 | 57.8 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Madison's population is about 61% less than Des Moines.
- Madison's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
- Madison is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 50 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- Madison is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 66 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
- Madison's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 34.57 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Madison neighborhoods are safer than 34.57% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Madison is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 65.43 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Madison is good, and in Des Moines it's good.
Considerations for moving to Madison
- Weather: August, June and July are the most pleasant months in Madison, while January and December are the least comfortable months for any relocation activities.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: Movers providing in-state relocation services in the Badger State must register with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), but strictly speaking, it’s not a regulated state. However, movers must comply with individual insurance, licensing, and other state laws and regulations. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Wisconsin moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Wisconsin does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Madison. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. For a secure move in Wisconsin, explore movers' insurance options to safeguard your belongings. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Elevate your protection with discussions on Full Value Protection or explore customized plans from third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Wisconsin state moving insurance. Ensure a smooth and protected relocation experience with the right insurance coverage.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Local Des Moines movers
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
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most popular
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Get A Quote |
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2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA, 50322 (515) 216-3654 |
| Adamantine Spine Moving | Get A Quote |
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4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322 (319) 519-0154 |
| All Mighty Movers LLC | Get A Quote |
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59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314 (515) 313-1395 |
Visit our best long distance movers in Des Moines page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
Where to live in Madison
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Mad City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Madison.
Best neighborhoods for singles:
- Madison
- Shorewood Hills
- Middleton
- Fitchburg
- Maple Bluff
- Monona
- Columbus
- Sun Prairie
- Lake Mills
- Verona
Best neighborhoods for families:
- Dudgeon-Monroe
- Hill Farms-University
- Maple-Prairie
- Westmorland
- Wexford
What to do in Madison
These are some of the best things to do in your new Wisconsin home.
- Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin Estate
- Wisconsin State Capitol
- Olbrich Botanical Gardens
- Frank Lloyd Wright's Monona Terrace
- University of Wisconsin's Memorial Union Terrace
- Chazen Museum of Art
- The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA)
- Henry Vilas Zoo
- University of Wisconsin: Arboretum and Geology Museum
- Wisconsin Veterans Museum
Get your sports on!
Madison is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
- Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA)
- Madison Mallards (Baseball)
- Madison Radicals (AUDL)
- Madison Capitols (United States Hockey League)
- Forward Madison (USL League One)
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Madison?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Madison is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Des Moines.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Madison?
Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Madison in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Madison take?
The 288-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Madison, WI, takes one-four days. Some Des Moines movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Madison.
