Moving from Madison, WI to Hialeah, FL
It is 1504 mi and 27h 57m from Madison to Hialeah β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1504 mi Β· 27h 57m by car Β· WI β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 24, GA 540 |
| Major cities en route | Rockford, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Hialeah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 17.3% above Madison β 97.287 β 114.155 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Madison to Hialeah β $423,767 vs $443,804 (2026-03).
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Hialeah -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Hialeah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 62.7" |
Annual average temperature gap of 29.7Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, MIAMI OPA LOCKA AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Hialeah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 221,901 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $53,079 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 45.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 14.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.87 |
Expect median household income to fall 17.3% β $76,983 β $53,079 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hialeah MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Wisconsin and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Hialeah average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Hialeah averages 62.7 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (29.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Hialeah compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $443,804 in Hialeah vs $423,767 in Madison β a 4.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Hialeah compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Hialeah MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Madison to Hialeah?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1504 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Madison vs Hialeah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,079 in Hialeah vs $76,983 in Madison β a 31.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Hialeah more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hialeah is 17.3% higher than Madison (114.155 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Hialeah, FL from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 1504 mi and the route typically takes 27h 57m via I 75 and I 24. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Madison.
City profiles: Madison, WI Β· Hialeah, FL.