Arlington vs Madison
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Madison
The Verdict
Living in Madison costs 54.7% less than Arlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $48,476 in Madison.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $48,476 in Madison.
Conversely, $75,000 in Madison equals $116,038 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Madison
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Madison's 115, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $340,000. The $400,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,004 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,400/mo in Madison, a monthly difference of $950.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 101 in Madison. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $480/month in Madison. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 97 in Madison. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $388 in Madison. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 105 in Madison. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $67,565 in Madison. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $63,741 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,577/month in Madison. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 134 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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