($818) Movers From Illinois to Madison, WI
Quick answer: Moving from Illinois to Madison, WI, costs $262 to $4,053 and takes one to two days. How much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself will affect the overall cost of your 196-mile move.

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Our track record
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Madison, WI to Illinois guide.
The best Illinois to Madison, WI, full-service moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company from Illinois 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 Illinois to Madison.
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
- International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
- 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
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- 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
Cost to hire professional movers from Illinois to Madison
The best moving containers for your Illinois to Madison move
If you want a budget-friendly move without driving a rental truck, moving containers are a great middle-ground option. You handle the packing and loading, while the company takes care of transportation.
Many providers also offer storage options, giving you extra flexibility if your new home isn’t ready yet. It’s an easy way to move at your own pace while skipping the hassle of long-distance driving.
Here are our moving container companies in Illinois, that can get your belongings safely to your new home in Madison, WI:
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Cost of moving containers from Illinois to Madison
The best moving truck rentals for your Illinois to Madison move
If you don’t mind a little DIY, renting a moving truck is the most affordable way to relocate to Illinois to Madison. You’ll have to handle the packing, loading, and driving — but the upside is you control the timeline from start to finish.
Check out these top-rated truck rental companies in Illinois:
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Cost of moving truck rentals from Illinois to Madison
The best hourly movers for your Illinois to Madison move
Labor-only movers are a great option if you’ve already arranged transportation for your move to Madison, WI, but want to avoid the strain of moving bulky furniture and heavy boxes on your own.
A moving labor company will provide you with a professional moving crew with enough members to match your move size. They’ll load your items into your moving container or rental truck and you’ll pay them by the hour for their assistance.
We recommend using one of these labor-only moving companies in Illinois to make your move faster and easier:
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How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Madison, WI?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Illinois to Madison for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
Hiring a professional Illinois moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
Size of the Move | Moving Company | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
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Studio / 1 Bedroom | $818 - $2,878 | $601 - $1,381 | $249 - $439 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,389 - $4,053 | $1,129 - $2,000 | $262 - $515 |
4+ bedrooms | $1,912 - $5,635 | $1,523 - $2,543 | $333 - $586 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 196 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.
The cost to move from Illinois to Madison, WI, will depend on:
- Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Illinois, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to letting the pros handle your move.
Use our moveBuddha moving cost calculator to get a more accurate estimate for your moving costs.
Things to know before moving from Illinois to Madison, WI
Cost of living: Illinois vs Madison, WI
Illinois | Madison | |
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Average rent cost | $1,179 | $1,600 |
Average home value | $249,224 | $367,934 |
Average income (per capita) | $78,433 | $62,919 |
Unemployment rate | 5% | 3% |
State income tax | 5% | 8% |
Madison sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 36% more expensive in Madison than in Illinois.
- Home prices are about 48% higher in Madison than in Illinois.
- The average income is about 20% lower in Madison than in Illinois.
- Madison has a lower unemployment rate than Illinois by about 38%.
- Income taxes are 55% higher in Madison than in Illinois.
How life is different in Madison from Illinois
Madison | Illinois | |
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Population | 269,840 | 12,549,689 |
Political leaning | Democratic 76-23 | Democratic 55-45 |
Summer high | 82ºF | 86ºF |
Winter low | 10ºF | 17ºF |
Annual rain | 36" | 40" |
Annual snow | 42" | 22" |
Crime index | 34.57 | 19.7 |
Madison sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Madison is approximately 98% lower than the population of Illinois.
- In the last presidential election, Madison voted Democratic and Illinois voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Madison is 82ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Madison reaches the temperature of 10ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
- You can expect about 36 inches of annual rainfall in Madison vs 40 inches of rainfall in Illinois.
- In Madison, it snows about 42 inches annually vs 22 inches of snow in Illinois.
- Madison has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 34.57 vs 19.7.
Things to do in Madison
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Madison.
Museums in Madison
Parks in Madison
Sports Teams in Madison
Universities in Madison
Other considerations when moving to Madison, WI
- 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: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- 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 on the state regulator's official website.
- 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 Wisconsin. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
FAQ
How long does a move from Illinois to Madison take?
The time frame for a move from Illinois to Madison, WI, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.
Obviously, the further upstate you are in Illinois, the longer the drive time to Madison will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.
With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Madison from Illinois can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Illinois to Madison?
Because of the 196-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Illinois to Madison as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Madison, WI?
With the summer highs of 82ºF and the winter lows of 10ºF, most people move to Madison from Illinois during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Madison during summer or winter.