Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Chicago 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: Illinois salaries · Wisconsin salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Chicago has a housing index of 112 while Madison sits at 115 (national average = 100). The median home in Chicago costs $310,000 compared to $340,000 in Madison, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Chicago versus $1,400 in Madison.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Chicago scores 104 while Madison scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Chicago (101) are lower than Madison (105). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Chicago is $62,097 compared to $67,565 in Madison. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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