City Comparison

London vs Madison

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

London

United Kingdom
115
Above Average
$695,000
Median Home
$2,400/mo
Median Rent
$55,000
Median Income

Madison

Wisconsin
106
Above Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$67,565
Median Income

The Verdict

8.5%

Living in Madison costs 8.5% less than London. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in London, you would need $69,130 in Madison.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
162
London
115
Madison
Groceries
92
London
101
Madison
Utilities
112
London
97
Madison
Transportation
125
London
103
Madison
Healthcare
78
London
105
Madison

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in London has the same purchasing power as $69,130 in Madison.

Conversely, $75,000 in Madison equals $81,368 in London.

Living in London vs Madison

Housing Costs

London's housing index of 162 is higher Madison's 115, translating to median home prices of $695,000 vs $340,000. The $355,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,076 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,400/mo in London compared to $1,400/mo in Madison, a monthly difference of $1,000.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in London and 101 in Madison. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in London vs $480/month in Madison. London offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 112 in London and 97 in Madison. Monthly utility bills average approximately $448 in London 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 78 in London and 105 in Madison. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,000 in London and $67,565 in Madison. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,826 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 $1,283/month to housing in London vs $1,577/month in Madison. In London, median rent of $2,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Madison is 8.5% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 115.
A $75,000 salary in London has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,130 in Madison, based on the cost of living difference.
London's housing index is 162 with median homes at $695,000, while Madison's is 115 with median homes at $340,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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