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 4,268.9$, excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 1,195.2$, excluding rent.
- Madison is 16.3% less expensive than Los Angeles (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in Madison is, on average, 39.4% lower than in Los Angeles.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 18.00 $ | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 66.95 $ | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 13.00 $ | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 6.59 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 7.00 $ | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 5.51 $ | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 2.89 $ | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 2.31 $ | |
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) | 3.91 $ | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 6.48 $ | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 6.12 $ | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 8.16 $ | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 2.13 $ | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 0.68 $ | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 2.30 $ | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 2.25 $ | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 1.27 $ | |
| Onions (1 lb) | 1.43 $ | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 2.11 $ | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 2.19 $ | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 14.30 $ | |
| 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) | 4.25 $ | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 3.36 $ | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 43.75 $ | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 0.81 $ | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 35,524.95 $ | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 25,390.61 $ | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 240.88 $ | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 48.57 $ | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 74.13 $ | |
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 | 1,676.46 $ | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 23,205.43 $ | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 66.12 $ | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 48.67 $ | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 104.03 $ | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 122.77 $ | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 1,703.67 $ | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 1,470.67 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 3,045.33 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 2,432.67 $ | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 372.84 $ | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 229.93 $ | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 4,309.77 $ | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 6.41 | |
Prices in Madison, Wisconsin
This city had 547 entries in the past 12 months by 42 different contributors.
Last update: 11 February 2026
Last update: 11 February 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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