($1,198) Movers From Madison, WI to Detroit, MI
Quick answer: A move from Madison to Detroit costs $478–$5,854 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 432-mile move yourself.

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Our track record
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Detroit to Madison guide.
The best Madison to Detroit full-service moving companies
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Madison to go to Detroit 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 Madison to Detroit.
- 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 Madison to Detroit?
The best moving containers for your Madison to Detroit move
Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Madison to Detroit. 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 Madison to Detroit?
The best moving truck rentals for your Madison to Detroit move
If you want to save even more money on your Madison to Detroit 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 Madison to Detroit?
The best labor-only movers for your Madison to Detroit 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 Madison to Detroit:
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How much does it cost to move from Madison to Detroit?
Madison movers charge $85 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 |
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Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,198 - $3,752 | $697 - $1,760 | $409 - $794 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,268 - $5,854 | $1,353 - $2,522 | $478 - $951 |
4+ bedrooms | $3,756 - $8,129 | $1,725 - $3,422 | $595 - $1,075 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Madison to Detroit
What to know before moving from Madison to Detroit
Madison | Detroit | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,600 | $1,250 |
Average home value | $367,934 | $73,156 |
Average income (per capita) | $62,919 | $37,761 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,292 | $1,175 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,457 | $4,145 |
Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 9.06% |
Sales tax | 5.5% | 6.0% |
State income tax | 7.65% | 4.25% |
- Rent prices in Detroit are 22% lower than in Madison.
- Home prices in Detroit are 80.1% lower than in Madison.
- Income in Detroit is 40.0% lower than in Madison.
- The cost of living for a single person in Detroit is 48.7% lower than in Madison.
- The cost of living for a family in Detroit is 24.0% lower than in Madison.
- The unemployment rate in Detroit is 174.55% higher than in Madison.
- Sales taxes in Detroit are 9.09% higher than in Madison.
- State income taxes in Detroit are 44.44% lower than in Madison.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,537.96 in Detroit to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Madison.
How life is different in Madison vs. Detroit
Detroit | Madison | |
---|---|---|
Population | 639,111 | 269,840 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 7 | 6 |
Walkability score | 51 | 50 |
Bike friendliness score | 52 | 66 |
Crime Index | 72.92 | 34.57 |
Safety Index | 27.08 | 65.43 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Detroit's population is about 137% greater than Madison.
- Detroit's public transportation has a score of 7 out of 10 versus Madison's higher score of 6.
- Detroit is more walkable than Madison with a score of 51 out of 100 vs Madison's 50 out of 100.
- Detroit is less bike-friendly than Madison with a score of 52 out of 100 vs Madison's 66.
- Detroit's crime rate is higher than Madison with a score of 72.92 compared to Madison's 34.57. This means that Detroit neighborhoods are safer than 72.92% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Madison neighborhoods are safer than 34.57%.
- Detroit is considered to be less safe than Madison with a score of 27.08 vs Madison's 65.43.
- Air quality in Detroit is good, and in Madison it's good.
Other things to consider for your Madison vs. Detroit move
- Weather: Detroit winters are cold, with moderate snowfall and temperatures not rising above freezing on an average 44 days annually. Summers are warm to hot with temperatures exceeding. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid heavy snowfall during your move.
- 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: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Michigan 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 Detroit. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Detroit
Now that you've decided to make the move to "America's Comeback City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Detroit.
Best neighborhoods for singles
Best neighborhoods for families
Things to do in Detroit
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Madison to Detroit?
The best time to move from Madison to Detroit is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Madison.
When is the cheapest time to move from Madison to Detroit?
Because most people are moving from Madison to Detroit 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 Madison to Detroit take?
The 432-mile move from Madison, WI, to Detroit, MI, takes one to four days. Some Madison movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Detroit.