Kent vs Madison
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kent
Madison
The Verdict
Living in Madison costs 29.2% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kent, you would need $58,029 in Madison.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $58,029 in Madison.
Conversely, $75,000 in Madison equals $96,934 in Kent.
Living in Kent vs Madison
Housing Costs
Kent's housing index of 195 is higher Madison's 115, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $340,000. The $255,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,572 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $1,400/mo in Madison, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 101 in Madison. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent vs $480/month in Madison. Madison offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Kent and 97 in Madison. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $388 in Madison. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent and 105 in Madison. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $67,565 in Madison. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 and $63,741 respectively. Kent residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $1,577/month in Madison. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/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 80 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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