Moving from Madison, WI to Spokane, WA
Cross-country relocations like Madison, WI β Spokane, WA cover 1645 mi and about 28h 24m of driving through 6 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.
1645 mi Β· 28h 24m by car Β· WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Minneapolis, Fargo, Billings, Spokane Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Spokane | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 100.346 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 91.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 105.028 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 97.059 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Spokane and Madison is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Spokane is 3.1% below Madison ($395,325 vs $423,767 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Spokane 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 17.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Madison (47.2Β°F) and Spokane (49.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 229,228 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $65,745 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.37 |
Income steps down 3.1%: $76,983 in Madison vs $65,745 in Spokane.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Spokane MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,380 | $46,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,780 | $38,530 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,620 | $44,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,480 | $35,500 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,820 | $95,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Wisconsin and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Spokane compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,920 in the Spokane MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 255,160 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Spokane more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Spokane is 3.1% higher than Madison (100.346 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Spokane compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $395,325 in Spokane vs $423,767 in Madison β a 6.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Spokane, WA from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 1645 mi and the route typically takes 28h 24m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Madison to Spokane?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1645 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 Spokane?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,745 in Spokane vs $76,983 in Madison β a 14.6% 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· Spokane, WA.