($1,039) Movers From Grand Rapids, MI to Madison, WI

Quick answer: A move from Grand Rapids to Madison costs $367–$5,074 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 327-mile move yourself.

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We know that every move from Grand Rapids to Madison is different. Choose the type of move that is best for you.
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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Madison to Grand Rapids guide.

The best Grand Rapids to Madison full-service moving companies

Choosing a long-distance moving company in Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids to Madison.

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • 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
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(980) 217-6841
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(866) 835-2392
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392
Best for high-end moves
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.6 / 5
(703) 972-1772
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  • White-glove handling of fragile & high-end items
  • Guaranteed pickup & delivery
  • $250 deposit for interstate moves
  • Mobile app with 24/7 customer service
  • Financing available
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(703) 972-1772
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(844) 950-2963
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  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
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(844) 950-2963

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Grand Rapids to Madison?toggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Grand Rapids to Madison will cost between $1,039 to $3,209. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,860 to $5,074, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Grand Rapids to Madison will cost from $2,801 to $6,982.

The best moving containers for your Grand Rapids to Madison move

Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Grand Rapids 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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  • Unlimited storage
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

How much are moving container companies from Grand Rapids to Madison?toggle

Moving containers from Grand Rapids to Madison will cost you $636 to $1,430 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,175 to $2,216. A larger home will cost $1,568 to $2,707.

The best moving truck rentals for your Grand Rapids to Madison move

If you want to save even more money on your Grand Rapids 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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  • Affordable pricing
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  • Several discounts
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  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
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How much is a moving truck from Grand Rapids to Madison?toggle

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 $318 to $586. A larger move will cost $367 to $701, and a four-bedroom move from Grand Rapids to Madison costs from $446 to $874. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best labor-only movers for your Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids to Madison:

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How much does it cost to move from Grand Rapids to Madison?

Grand Rapids movers charge $120 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 $1,039 - $3,209 $636 - $1,430 $318 - $586
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,860 - $5,074 $1,175 - $2,216 $367 - $701
4+ bedrooms $2,801 - $6,982 $1,568 - $2,707 $446 - $874
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 327 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.

Factors influencing moving costs from Grand Rapids to Madisontoggle

The cost of Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids to Madison can be as low as $1,039 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $5,537.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Grand Rapids, 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 $318 to $812. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Grand Rapids to Madison

Grand Rapids Madison
Average rent cost $1,659 $1,600
Average home value $328,256 $367,934
Average income (per capita) $63,299 $62,919
Cost of living (single person) $3,433 $2,292
Cost of living (family of 4) $3,960 $5,457
Unemployment rate 4.3% 3.3%
Sales tax 6.0% 5.5%
State income tax 4.25% 7.65%
  • Rent prices in Madison are 4% lower than in Grand Rapids.
  • Home prices in Madison are 12.1% higher than in Grand Rapids.
  • Income is the same in Madison and Grand Rapids.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Madison is 33.2% lower than in Grand Rapids.
  • The cost of living for a family in Madison is 37.8% higher than in Grand Rapids.
  • The unemployment rate in Madison is 23.26% lower than in Grand Rapids.
  • Sales taxes in Madison are 8.33% lower than in Grand Rapids.
  • State income taxes in Madison are 80.00% higher than in Grand Rapids.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,002.91 in Madison to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Grand Rapids.

How life is different in Grand Rapids vs. Madison

Madison Grand Rapids
Population 269,840 198,893
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 6
Walkability score 50 56
Bike friendliness score 66 52
Crime Index 34.57 44.23
Safety Index 65.43 55.77
Air Quality Good Good
  • Madison's population is about 36% greater than Grand Rapids.
  • Madison's public transportation has a similar score to Grand Rapids.
  • Madison is less walkable than Grand Rapids with a score of 50 out of 100 vs Grand Rapids's 56 out of 100.
  • Madison is more bike-friendly than Grand Rapids with a score of 66 out of 100 vs Grand Rapids's 52.
  • Madison's crime rate is lower than Grand Rapids with a score of 34.57 compared to Grand Rapids's 44.23. This means that Madison neighborhoods are safer than 34.57% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Grand Rapids neighborhoods are safer than 44.23%.
  • Madison is considered to be safer than Grand Rapids with a safety index of 65.43 vs Grand Rapids's 55.77.
  • Air quality in Madison is good, and in Grand Rapids it's good.

Other things to consider for your Grand Rapids 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 singlestoggle

  • Madison
  • Shorewood Hills
  • Middleton
  • Fitchburg
  • Maple Bluff
  • Monona
  • Columbus
  • Sun Prairie
  • Lake Mills
  • Verona

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • Dudgeon-Monroe
  • Hill Farms-University
  • Maple-Prairie
  • Westmorland
  • Wexford

Things to do in Madisontoggle

After settling into your new Wisconsin home, you’ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Madison has lots to offer, no matter what you’re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Madison is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Chazen Museum of Art, Madison Children's Museum, Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Wisconsin Historical Museum, and University of Wisconsin Geology Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city’s Olbrich Botanical Gardens, University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, Lake Mendota, and Allen Centennial Gardens — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA), Madison Mallards (Baseball), Madison Radicals (AUDL), or Madison Capitols (United States Hockey League) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Grand Rapids to Madison?

The best time to move from Grand Rapids to Madison is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Grand Rapids.

When is the cheapest time to move from Grand Rapids to Madison?

Because most people are moving from Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids to Madison take?

The 327-mile move from Grand Rapids, MI, to Madison, WI, takes one to four days. Some Grand Rapids movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Madison.

Helpful moving resources