Madison vs Austin

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Wisconsin salaries · Texas salaries

Living in Madison vs Austin

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Madison has a housing index of 115 while Austin sits at 123 (national average = 100). The median home in Madison costs $340,000 compared to $430,000 in Austin, a difference of $90,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Madison versus $1,700 in Austin.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Madison scores 101 while Austin scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Madison (105) are higher than Austin (97). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Madison is $67,565 compared to $75,413 in Austin. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.

Relocating: Madison vs Austin

If you are considering a move between Madison (index: 106) and Austin (index: 107), the 1% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Madison is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Madison can afford $1,577/month, while the median household in Austin can afford $1,760/month. With median homes at $340,000 in Madison versus $430,000 in Austin, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $1,400/month in Madison and $1,700/month in Austin, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Madison (106) vs Austin (107)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Madison at 106 is 6% above the US average, while Austin at 107 is 7% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Madison and Austin land within 1 points of each other on the composite index (106 vs 107), so the overall cost picture is similar. Housing shows the widest single-category margin at 115 versus 123, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Madison and Austin. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Madison at 115 and Austin at 123 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $340,000 and $430,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Madison has an edge in housing, while Austin is more affordable for groceries and transportation. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,400/month in Madison and $1,700/month in Austin, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $18,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $90,000 difference in median home prices between Madison and Austin translates to roughly $5,400 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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