Lincoln vs Madison
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lincoln
Madison
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 12.3%, with Lincoln being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to $85,484 in Madison.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $85,484 in Madison.
Conversely, $75,000 in Madison equals $65,802 in Lincoln.
Living in Lincoln vs Madison
Housing Costs
Lincoln's housing index of 77 is lower Madison's 115, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $340,000. The $76,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,944 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $1,400/mo in Madison, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 101 in Madison. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln 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 93 in Lincoln and 97 in Madison. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $388 in Madison. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Lincoln 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 $71,900 in Lincoln and $67,565 in Madison. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $63,741 respectively. Lincoln residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,678/month to housing in Lincoln vs $1,577/month in Madison. In Lincoln, 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 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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