Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Asheville and Madison have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · Wisconsin salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Asheville has a housing index of 120 while Madison sits at 115 (national average = 100). The median home in Asheville costs $360,000 compared to $340,000 in Madison, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Asheville versus $1,400 in Madison.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Asheville scores 103 while Madison scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Asheville (106) are higher than Madison (105). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Asheville is $48,534 compared to $67,565 in Madison. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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