Moving from Madison, WI to Brownsville, TX
A move from Madison, WI to Brownsville, TX covers 1490 mi and around 27h 40m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1490 mi Β· 27h 40m by car Β· WI β IL β MO β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IL β MO β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, US 77, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Rockford, Springfield, St Louis, Little Rock, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Brownsville are 11.6% below Madison β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Brownsville typical home at $195,993 is 11.6% under Madison at $423,767 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | β |
NOAA normals show Brownsville running 27.2Β°F above Madison on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 3.21 |
Median household income in Brownsville is 11.6% below Madison ($76,983 vs $48,675, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Wisconsin and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Brownsville average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (27.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Madison to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1490 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $423,767 in Madison β a 53.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Madison vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $76,983 in Madison β a 36.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Brownsville, TX from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 1490 mi and the route typically takes 27h 40m via US 59 and US 77. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 11.6% lower than Madison (85.975 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Madison.
City profiles: Madison, WI Β· Brownsville, TX.