Casper vs Madison
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Casper
Madison
The Verdict
Living in Casper costs 10.4% less than Madison. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Casper, you would need $83,684 in Madison.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Casper has the same purchasing power as $83,684 in Madison.
Conversely, $75,000 in Madison equals $67,217 in Casper.
Living in Casper vs Madison
Housing Costs
Casper's housing index of 82 is lower Madison's 115, translating to median home prices of $265,000 vs $340,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Casper compared to $1,400/mo in Madison, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Casper and 101 in Madison. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Casper 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 96 in Casper and 97 in Madison. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Casper vs $388 in Madison. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Casper and 105 in Madison. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $70,200 in Casper and $67,565 in Madison. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,895 and $63,741 respectively. Casper residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,638/month to housing in Casper vs $1,577/month in Madison. In Casper, median rent of $1,000/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 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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