Moving from Madison, WI to Inglewood, CA
It is 1976 mi and 35h 6m from Madison to Inglewood β a cross-country move across 8 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.
1976 mi Β· 35h 6m by car Β· WI β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Inglewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 16.7% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 16.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $423,767 to $763,568 moving to Inglewood.
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Inglewood +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Inglewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 11.8" |
Expect 17.3Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, HAWTHORNE MUNI AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Inglewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 105,575 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $71,029 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 16.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.93 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 16.7% lower in Inglewood than Madison.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Inglewood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Wisconsin and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Inglewood sees only 11.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Inglewood compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Inglewood MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Inglewood, CA from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 1976 mi and the route typically takes 35h 6m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Madison to Inglewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1976 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Inglewood compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $763,568 in Inglewood vs $423,767 in Madison β a 80.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Inglewood more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Inglewood is 16.7% higher than Madison (113.566 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Madison vs Inglewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,029 in Inglewood vs $76,983 in Madison β a 7.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Madison.
City profiles: Madison, WI Β· Inglewood, CA.