Moving from Madison, WI to Milwaukee, WI
It is a 81 mi drive, roughly 1h 44m, between Madison, WI and Milwaukee, WI. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
81 mi · 1h 44m by car · WI
Distance & route
| Route through | WI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, WI 30, US 151 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Milwaukee | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 96.937 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 91.59 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 93.787 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 97.111 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 97.287 vs 96.937 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.4% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $423,767 to $220,137 moving to Milwaukee.
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Milwaukee +3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Madison | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 11°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 39.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 33.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Madison (47.2°F) and Milwaukee (48.3°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Milwaukee averages 39.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, MT MARY COLLEGE, WI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 569,756 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $51,888 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 32.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 17.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.47 |
Milwaukee households earn about 0.4% less than Madison at the median — $76,983 → $51,888 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Milwaukee MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 96,990 | $45,330 |
| Production Occupations | 76,240 | $46,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 72,420 | $39,810 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 71,930 | $38,320 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 66,240 | $29,690 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 — check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Milwaukee averages 39.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Madison vs Milwaukee?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,888 in Milwaukee vs $76,983 in Madison — a 32.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Milwaukee, WI from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 81 mi and the route typically takes 1h 44m via I 94 and WI 30. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Milwaukee compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,460 in the Milwaukee MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 814,950 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Milwaukee compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,137 in Milwaukee vs $423,767 in Madison — a 48.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Madison to Milwaukee?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 81 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Milwaukee more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Milwaukee is 0.4% lower than Madison (96.937 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 · Milwaukee, WI.