Moving from Madison, WI to Torrance, CA
It is 1982 mi and 35h 14m from Madison to Torrance 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.
1982 mi Β· 35h 14m 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 | Torrance | 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 |
Torrance runs about 16.7% more expensive overall than Madison β RPP 97.287 β 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $423,767 in Madison to $1,124,932 in Torrance, a 16.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Torrance +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Torrance |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 76Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 13.8" |
Annual average temperature jumps 15.3Β°F β 47.2Β°F in Madison vs 62.5Β°F in Torrance, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, REDONDO BEACH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Torrance |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 143,499 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $113,105 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 43.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 34.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.59 |
Expect median household income to rise 16.7% β $76,983 β $113,105 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Torrance 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: Torrance sees only 13.8 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 (15.3Β°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 much do homes cost in Torrance compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,124,932 in Torrance vs $423,767 in Madison β a 165.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Madison to Torrance?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1982 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Torrance compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Torrance 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 Torrance, CA from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 1982 mi and the route typically takes 35h 14m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Torrance more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Torrance 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 Torrance?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,105 in Torrance vs $76,983 in Madison β a 46.9% 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· Torrance, CA.