Chesapeake vs Madison
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Chesapeake
Madison
The Verdict
Living in Chesapeake costs 1.9% less than Madison. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Chesapeake, you would need $76,442 in Madison.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Chesapeake has the same purchasing power as $76,442 in Madison.
Conversely, $75,000 in Madison equals $73,585 in Chesapeake.
Living in Chesapeake vs Madison
Housing Costs
Chesapeake's housing index of 120 is higher Madison's 115, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $340,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,550/mo in Chesapeake compared to $1,400/mo in Madison, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Chesapeake and 101 in Madison. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Chesapeake 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 105 in Chesapeake and 97 in Madison. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Chesapeake vs $388 in Madison. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Chesapeake 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 $94,200 in Chesapeake and $67,565 in Madison. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,577 and $63,741 respectively. Chesapeake residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,198/month to housing in Chesapeake vs $1,577/month in Madison. In Chesapeake, median rent of $1,550/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 Utilities, where the gap is 8 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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