Moving from Milwaukee, WI to Madison, WI
It is a 81 mi drive, roughly 1h 44m, between Milwaukee, WI and Madison, 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
| Milwaukee | Madison | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.937 | 97.287 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.59 | 89.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 93.787 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.111 | 99.748 | 100.0 |
Milwaukee and Madison sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $220,137 in Milwaukee to $423,767 in Madison, a 0.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Milwaukee +3.6%, Madison +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Milwaukee | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 47°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 11°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 39.5" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 33.8" | 40.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 48.3°F vs 47.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MT MARY COLLEGE, WI US, UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Milwaukee | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 275,568 |
| Median household income | $51,888 | $76,983 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 33.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.19 |
Madison households earn about 0.4% more than Milwaukee at the median — $51,888 → $76,983 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Madison MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 47,900 | $46,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,050 | $37,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 32,230 | $30,120 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 31,450 | $76,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 28,080 | $40,340 |
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.
Frequently asked
Is Madison more expensive than Milwaukee?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Madison is 0.4% higher than Milwaukee (97.287 vs 96.937, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Madison compare to Milwaukee?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,910 in the Madison MSA vs $48,460 in the Milwaukee MSA, on total employment of 396,960 and 814,950 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Milwaukee to Madison?
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.
How far is Madison, WI from Milwaukee, 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 household income compare in Milwaukee vs Madison?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,983 in Madison vs $51,888 in Milwaukee — a 48.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Madison compared to Milwaukee?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $423,767 in Madison vs $220,137 in Milwaukee — a 92.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Milwaukee.
City profiles: Milwaukee, WI · Madison, WI.