Moving from Madison, WI to Oceanside, CA
Cross-country relocations like Madison, WI β Oceanside, CA cover 1992 mi and about 35h 24m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1992 mi Β· 35h 24m 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 | Oceanside | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 111.887 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 174.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 107.963 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 179.267 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 15.0% pricier overall in Oceanside than Madison on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Oceanside typical home at $877,742 is 15.0% above Madison at $423,767 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Oceanside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Oceanside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 11.9" |
Climate warms by 13.8Β°F on the annual average β 47.2Β°F β 61.0Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, OCEANSIDE MUNI AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Oceanside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 172,542 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $93,724 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 22.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.81 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 15.0% between Madison and Oceanside (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oceanside MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 166,920 | $48,270 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 155,650 | $35,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 123,300 | $38,790 |
| Management Occupations | 114,190 | $134,250 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 112,110 | $83,560 |
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: Oceanside sees only 11.9 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 (13.8Β°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 Oceanside compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,090 in the Oceanside MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 1,522,620 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 Oceanside?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1992 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Oceanside, CA from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 1992 mi and the route typically takes 35h 24m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Oceanside more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oceanside is 15.0% higher than Madison (111.887 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Oceanside compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $877,742 in Oceanside vs $423,767 in Madison β a 107.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Madison vs Oceanside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,724 in Oceanside vs $76,983 in Madison β a 21.7% higher 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· Oceanside, CA.