Cost of Living in Madison
Summary of cost of living in Madison, WI, United States:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $4,264.7, excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $1,188.3, excluding rent.
- Madison is 23.0% less expensive than Seattle (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in Madison is, on average, 32.2% lower than in Seattle.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $20.00 | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $61.95 | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $13.00 | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | $6.18 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | $7.00 | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $5.39 | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | $3.08 | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | $2.44 | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $0.98 | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | $3.53 | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | $2.42 | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $3.86 | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | $6.59 | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | $6.17 | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | $8.94 | |
| Apples (1 lb) | $2.13 | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.68 | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | $2.30 | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $2.25 | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $1.25 | |
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.43 | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $2.12 | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | $2.30 | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $15.60 | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | $2.65 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | $4.37 | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $10.40 | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $2.00 | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $65.00 | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $4.00 | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | $3.22 | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $43.75 | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $0.90 | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $33,576.50 | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $25,255.65 | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $224.31 | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $48.33 | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $75.54 | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $64.17 | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $10.00 | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $14.95 | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $1,663.89 | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $23,205.43 | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $64.77 | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $47.23 | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $100.82 | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $121.80 | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $1,717.86 | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $1,472.50 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $2,997.78 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $2,456.67 | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $413.42 | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $233.51 | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $4,317.73 | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 6.25 | |
Prices in Madison, Wisconsin
This city had 587 entries in the past 12 months by 45 different contributors.
Last update: 14 June 2026
Last update: 14 June 2026
Sources and References
Moving to Madison, WI? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Nearby Cities:| Cost of Living in Rockford, Illinois | 73.93 miles |
| Cost of Living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 79.12 miles |
| Cost of Living in Neenah, Wisconsin | 99.22 miles |
| Cost of Living in McHenry, Illinois | 100.01 miles |
| Cost of Living in Appleton, Wisconsin | 106.15 miles |
| Cost of Living in Stevens Point, Wisconsin | 110.47 miles |
| Cost of Living in Algonquin, Illinois | 114.07 miles |
| Cost of Living in Kenosha, Wisconsin | 114.38 miles |
| Cost of Living in Mundelein, Illinois | 114.73 miles |
| Cost of Living in Streamwood, Illinois | 116.68 miles |
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