Champaign vs Madison
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Champaign
Madison
The Verdict
Champaign is 23.6% less expensive than Madison overall. A household earning $75,000 in Champaign would need approximately $98,148 in Madison to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $98,148 in Madison.
Conversely, $75,000 in Madison equals $57,311 in Champaign.
Living in Champaign vs Madison
Housing Costs
Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Madison's 115, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $340,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,400/mo in Madison, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 101 in Madison. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign 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 106 in Champaign and 97 in Madison. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $388 in Madison. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 105 in Madison. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $67,565 in Madison. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $63,741 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,577/month in Madison. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/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 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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