Nearly three-quarters of a million people moved to Wisconsin last year. And if you plan to follow the trend, it’s critical to know which movers you can trust. International Van Lines is our pick for the best interstate moving service. The long-distance movers have excellent packing services, reasonable moving costs, and decades of experience. We’ve also put together a list of high-quality alternatives from Green Bay and Madison to Milwaukee and Kenosha.
Are you moving to Milwaukee?
Every company on our list of the best Milwaukee moving services has an average rating of at least 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Compare Wisconsin moving companies
Moving company | Move type | Move.org rating | Cost | Learn more |
| Full-service (long distance) | 
| $$$$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Full-service (local) | 
| $$$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Moving container | 
| $$$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Truck rental | 
| $$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Hourly labor | 
| $$ | Check Prices Check Prices |
Best Movers in Wisconsin
International Van Lines—Best long-distance moving company
International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving company. It can move you anywhere in the country and is upfront about its prices (most moving companies aren’t). IVL also offers substantial discounts if you’re a senior or need to ship a car. Plus, the moving company provides 30 days of free storage to provide a buffer when moving into your new home. On the downside, it has below-average customer reviews and annoying website pop-up ads.
Pros
Transparent pricing
Local and long-distance moving
15% car shipping discount
15% senior discount
30 days of free storage 
Cons
Below-average customer reviews
Annoying pop-up ads First National Van Lines—Best local moving company
First National Van Lines is our pick for the best local moving company. While most moving brokers focus on helping you move between states, FNVL’s expertise enables you to move within the same state. It has a network of movers in nearly all US cities and receives above-average customer reviews. First National Van Lines can also give you a quote virtually or in person and provides attractive storage options. For example, it offers all customers a free month of storage and a remote video stream of their storage space. On the downside, FNVL’s website isn’t always up-to-date.
Pros
Services most U.S. cities
Excellent customer reviews
In-home and virtual quotes
30 days of free storage
Remote video storage Cons
Out-of-date website PODS—Best moving container company
PODS is one of your best moving options. Think of the company’s containers as storage units that you can hang onto until you've set a date with a driver to pick up and hook onto the back of a specialized truck. A PODS truck drops off a moving container at your home. Once you load it, PODS picks the container up and transports it to your new home, where you unload it. The container company has top-notch customer reviews, excellent storage options, and nationwide availability. And despite confusing invoices, PODS has some of the lowest rates for moving containers in the United States. In some cases, it's even more convenient and cheaper than rental trucks.
Pros
Low prices
Multiple container sizes
Lots of storage options
Positive customer reviews
46-state availability Cons
Confusing prices Penske—Best moving truck company
Penske Truck Rental is our pick for the best moving truck company. Renting a truck is the cheapest way to move, and Penske brings a lot to the table. It offers local and long-distance moving services everywhere in the country (except Alaska), provides reliable reservations, and has moving discounts. In addition, Penske has the highest customer satisfaction rating of any rental truck company. So if you’re able to pack, load, and drive, there’s no better option than Penske Truck Rental.
Pros
Lowest moving prices
Local and long-distance rentals
Excellent customer reviews
Moving discounts
Reliable reservations Cons
No service in Alaska HireAHelper—Best hourly moving labor company
HireAHelper is an excellent solution if you need help with only a few parts of the moving process. The company’s professional contractors can help you with everything from packing and loading to furniture assembly and junk removal. It’s also easy to find, with nearly 5,000 locations in all 50 states. Plus, HireAHelper movers get excellent customer reviews. Just be aware that you must hire your workers for at least two hours. It’s not cheap compared to other hourly moving labor companies, but customer reviews suggest the premium price is worth it.
Pros
Professional contractors
Packing and loading services
4,750+ locations
50-state availability
Positive customer reviews Cons
High prices
Two-hour minimum Move.org's top pick
International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving service. It has a vast network of cross-country movers, provides one month of free storage, and offers military and senior discounts. Want to move with Move.org's #1 pick?
What type of moving company is right for you?
Professional movers
They handle it all.
Professional movers load your stuff, ship it to your new home, and unload it all for you. It’s the easiest—but most expensive—option. Learn more.
Containers
You load, they ship.
You load up all your belongings, but the movers transport your container to your new home. It’s the middle road for effort and cost. Learn more.
Moving truck rentals
You do all the work.
Worried about costs? Rent a truck, load it yourself, drive it to your new home, and unload all your things. You do it all—and save a lot. Learn more.
What to know about moving in Wisconsin
Population
Wisconsin has a population of roughly 5.9 million people.1 The state has an annual growth rate of approximately 0.3%,2 and the largest ethnic groups include White, African American, and Latino. Around 14% of the population lives in a different home than they did one year ago,1 and roughly 740,000 people moved within the state last year. Notably, 85% of those moves were from one Wisconsin state to another.3
Employment
The median income in Wisconsin is approximately $63,290, and roughly two-thirds of the population participates in the labor force.1 The Badger State added about 50,000 payroll jobs last year,4 with its most popular jobs including education, construction, and restaurants. Wisconsin’s highest-paying, non-medical industries are tire manufacturing, financial investments, and paper products. The state’s wealthiest areas are Waukesha County, St. Croix County, and Ozaukee County, and its poorest regions include Iron County, Ashland County, and Adams County.2
Cost of living
Wisconsin has an average cost of living compared to the rest of the United States. It ranks 22nd on a list of the 50 most affordable states, alongside similarly low-cost states like South Carolina, North Carolina, and Kentucky. The most comparatively expensive costs are for healthcare and utilities (Wisconsin utility bills total around $380 monthly), while the lowest rates are for housing.5 The median property value is about $189,000,1 and the state’s homeownership rate is significantly higher than the national average.2
Politics
Wisconsin is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. For example, a Pew Research Center poll found that 42% of the state identifies as Republican, while an exact percentage favors the Democrats.6 A similar trend played out in the 2020 presidential election, with Joe Biden earning a 0.6%-margin of victory over Donald Trump. The state’s most Democratic Counties are Menominee County and Dane County, while the most Republican areas include Florence County and Washington County.2
Best Wisconsin movers FAQ
What is the minimum charge for moving in Wisconsin?
The minimum charge for moving in Wisconsin is the cost of renting a moving truck. The average truck rental cost is about $130 for local moves and $1,780 for long-distance relocations.
Can your estimate be guaranteed by Wisconsin movers?
The best interstate movers guarantee your estimate after doing an in-home inspection. Quotes include all your moving costs, including packing services, furniture assembly, and transportation.
How do I compare long-distance moving companies in Wisconsin?
It’s a good idea to compare prices, timelines, and customer reviews when looking for a long-distance moving company in Wisconsin. You can also avoid moving industry scams by ensuring your professional mover doesn’t ask you to sign a contract before completing an in-home inspection.
What is the best out-of-state moving company?
International Van Lines is the best out-of-state mover. The moving service has an extensive network of local and long-distance movers in all 50 states. It also has transparent prices and top-notch packing services.
How much do movers cost in Wisconsin?
The average cost of movers in Wisconsin ranges from $1,130 to $9,060. Prices vary depending on whether you use a rental truck, moving container, or professional moving company. The volume of your belongings also impacts your moving cost.
One of the moving industry’s hidden gems
JK Moving is an excellent up-and-coming moving service for a residential move. The company has excellent customer service and charges a deposit of only $250.
Methodology
We conducted intensive research to identify the best moving companies for long-distance moves and local moves, in addition to container moves, truck rentals, and hourly moving labor. During our searches, we:
- Compare pricing transparency. We gather quotes, check for binding estimates, and read customer reviews about pricing to ensure each moving company’s prices are trustworthy.
- Review accreditation. We check every company’s records in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database to confirm companies are properly authorized to transport household goods.
- Go mystery shopping. We review every company’s website, pose as customers in calls to companies, and read customer reviews to analyze every company’s moving services, transit protection, and customer service. We also interview actual customers to learn how their moves went from start to finish.
- Perform site visits. We invite moving companies to our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, to share data and expertise. We verify the information they provide by comparing it to data gathered through independent research and interviews with other movers.
- Set up regular reviews. We routinely repeat this process to update our recommendations to reflect current data and trends. We also revise each review annually and make updates throughout the year.
Recommended resources
People also asked . . .
Sources
- United States Census Bureau, “Quick Facts: Wisconsin.” Accessed October 15, 2022.
- Deloitte, “Data USA: Wisconsin.” Accessed October 15, 2022.
- United States Census Bureau, “Census Bureau Releases 2020 CPS ASEC Geographic Mobility Data,” December 15, 2020. Accessed October 15, 2022.
- United States Congress Joint Economic Committee, “Wisconsin Employment Report,” September 16, 2022. Accessed October 15, 2022.
- Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, “Cost of Living Data Series.” Accessed October 15, 2022.
- Pew Research Center, “Religious Landscape Study: Party Affiliation among Adults in Wisconsin.” Accessed October 15, 2022.
