($906) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Madison, WI
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Madison costs $313–$4,796 and takes one to 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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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Madison to Des Moines guide.
The best Des Moines to Madison full-service moving companies
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Des Moines to go to Madison can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.
Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Des Moines to Madison.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- 10% discount for veterans and seniors
- Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
- Services local, long-distance, and international moves
- Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
- 24/7 customer service
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to Madison?
The best moving containers for your Des Moines to Madison move
Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Des Moines to Madison. You’ll save a little money by opting to pack and load everything yourself, but the container company will take care of the transportation for you.
We recommend these moving container companies:
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How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Madison?
The best moving truck rentals for your Des Moines to Madison move
If you want to save even more money on your Des Moines to Madison move, renting a moving truck is your cheapest option. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all the work — packing, loading, and driving. But that extra work will pay off in terms of keeping costs low.
These top moving truck rentals are a great place to start:
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How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Madison?
The best labor-only movers for your Des Moines to Madison move
If you need some extra hands to help you with your move, you’ll want to hire labor-only movers with reasonable hourly rates and professional crews. Labor-only companies that offer add-on options like packing and cleaning allow you to more fully tailor services to your needs and budget.
Consider these highly rated labor-only movers to help you move from Des Moines to Madison:
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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 | $906 - $2,894 | $583 - $1,505 | $313 - $549 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,664 - $4,796 | $1,079 - $2,150 | $313 - $637 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,187 - $6,353 | $1,482 - $2,615 | $428 - $815 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Madison
What to know before moving from Des Moines to 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 in 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 life is different in Des Moines vs. 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.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Madison move
- 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.
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
Best neighborhoods for families
Things to do in Madison
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 to 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.
