Irving vs Madison
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Irving
Madison
The Verdict
Irving is 5.7% less expensive than Madison overall. A household earning $75,000 in Irving would need approximately $79,500 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 Irving has the same purchasing power as $79,500 in Madison.
Conversely, $75,000 in Madison equals $70,755 in Irving.
Living in Irving vs Madison
Housing Costs
Irving's housing index of 94 is lower Madison's 115, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $340,000. The $22,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,428 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,400/mo in Madison, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 101 in Madison. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving 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 111 in Irving and 97 in Madison. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving vs $388 in Madison. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Irving 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 $73,400 in Irving and $67,565 in Madison. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $63,741 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,577/month in Madison. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/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 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases