Moving from Madison, WI, to Seattle, WA

Bigger city life in Seattle

Making a move from Madison, Wisconsin, to Seattle, Washington, means prepping for big-city life. Seattle’s metro population of over 4 million residents is more than 4 times larger than Madison.  

That’s quite the contrast to Madison’s city population of 269,840 in the 2020 U.S. Census. More people can mean more opportunities; you’ll find that and more in Seattle. Keep reading to learn more about what to expect when moving to Washington State. 

Expect a higher cost of living

Seattle is known for being an expensive city, so it’s no surprise that the cost of living there is higher than in Madison. The good news is that average salaries in Seattle are also higher than national averages, and the job market is good.  

Technology jobs at Amazon, Microsoft and Zillow are popular. Residents can also find careers in biotech, health care, and maritime industries, including both shipping and fishing. The metro area, with companies like Boeing and Weyerhaeuser, employs many residents in the manufacturing industry. 

Enjoy Seattle’s outdoor recreation

You don’t have to worry about missing all the outdoor activities you enjoyed in Madison. Seattle’s mild marine climate allows plenty of time to enjoy the city's outdoor areas. Residents enjoy walking, cycling and hiking in the parks, and there’s always fishing, kayaking and sailing off the piers.  

Worried about the rain in Seattle? The city gets about 39 inches per year spread out over an average of 155 days each year, which is only about 3 inches more than Madison. Invest in some good rain gear, and you’ll be handling the Seattle showers like a local in no time! 

Up your sports game with some new fandom

Sports in Madison were mostly college and amateur level, but in Seattle, you’ll find multiple professional teams to go along with college sports. Here are the pro teams you can root for in the city: 

  • OL Reign (NWSL) 
  • Seattle Kraken (NHL) 
  • Seattle Mariners (MLB) 
  • Seattle Seahawks (NFL) 
  • Seattle Seawolves (MLR) 
  • Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) 
  • Seattle Storm (WNBA) 
     

U-Pack can help you move to Seattle

With nationwide service centers and more than 25 years of experience, U-Pack® is ready to help with your move from Madison to Seattle. We’re a DIY-moving service where you take care of packing, loading and unloading, and we’ll handle moving your things. Get a free online quote today, or give us a call at 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant.