College Station vs Madison
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
College Station
Madison
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 17.9%, with College Station being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in College Station has equivalent purchasing power to $91,379 in Madison.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in College Station has the same purchasing power as $91,379 in Madison.
Conversely, $75,000 in Madison equals $61,557 in College Station.
Living in College Station vs Madison
Housing Costs
College Station's housing index of 82 is lower Madison's 115, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $340,000. The $26,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,692 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in College Station compared to $1,400/mo in Madison, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 101 in Madison. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station vs $480/month in Madison. College Station offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in College Station and 97 in Madison. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station vs $388 in Madison. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in College Station 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 $50,900 in College Station and $67,565 in Madison. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 and $63,741 respectively. Madison residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,188/month to housing in College Station vs $1,577/month in Madison. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/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
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases