Madison, WI vs New York, NY

The cost of living difference between Madison, WI and New York, NY is dramatic. Madison is 33.3% cheaper than New York, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Madison has a cost index of 103 while New York sits at 155, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Madison is $1,364/month compared to $1,779/month in New York — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $346,900 median vs $751,700.

Median household income in Madison is $76,983 compared to $79,713 in New York (-3.4%). New York does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Madison spend roughly 21.3% of their income on rent, less than the 26.8% in New York.