Moving from Spokane, WA to Madison, WI
Cross-country relocations like Spokane, WA β Madison, WI 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
| Spokane | Madison | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 97.287 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 89.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 93.787 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 99.748 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Spokane (100.346) and Madison (97.287) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Madison at $423,767 is 3.0% above Spokane at $395,325.
YoY change: Spokane 0.0%, Madison +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 40.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 275,568 |
| Median household income | $65,745 | $76,983 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 33.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.19 |
Income steps up 3.0%: $65,745 in Spokane vs $76,983 in Madison.
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.
Moving between Washington and Wisconsin
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Wisconsin'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.
Frequently asked
Is Madison more expensive than Spokane?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Madison is 3.0% lower than Spokane (97.287 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Madison compared to Spokane?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $423,767 in Madison vs $395,325 in Spokane β a 7.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Madison, WI from Spokane, WA?
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.
How does the job market in Madison compare to Spokane?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,910 in the Madison MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane MSA, on total employment of 396,960 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Spokane to Madison?
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 Spokane vs Madison?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,983 in Madison vs $65,745 in Spokane β a 17.1% 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 Spokane.
City profiles: Spokane, WA Β· Madison, WI.