Madison vs Denver
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Madison
Denver
💡 The Verdict
10% cheaper
Madison is 10% more affordable than Denver. A $75,000 salary in Denver is equivalent to $67,373 in Madison.
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 · Colorado salaries
Living in Madison vs Denver
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Madison has a housing index of 115 while Denver sits at 152 (national average = 100). The median home in Madison costs $340,000 compared to $520,000 in Denver, a difference of $180,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Madison versus $1,900 in Denver.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Madison scores 101 while Denver scores 102. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Madison (105) are higher than Denver (104). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Madison is $67,565 compared to $72,661 in Denver. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Madison.
Relocating: Madison vs Denver
If you are considering a move between Madison (index: 106) and Denver (index: 118), the 10% 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 Denver can afford $1,695/month. With median homes at $340,000 in Madison versus $520,000 in Denver, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.
Renting vs buying: At $1,400/month in Madison and $1,900/month in Denver, renters save significantly in Madison. 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 significantly further in Madison. 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 Denver (118)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Madison at 106 is 6% above the US average, while Denver at 118 is 18% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
A 12-point index spread separates Denver from Madison, a moderate gap that adds up across monthly bills but is manageable with a typical dual-income household budget. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Madison scores 115 and Denver scores 152. That 37-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Madison with indices of 115 versus 152. Median home prices of $340,000 in Madison and $520,000 in Denver underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Madison has an edge in housing and groceries, while Denver is more affordable for utilities and healthcare. 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 $1,900/month in Denver, the annual rent difference is approximately $6,000. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $30,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $180,000 difference in median home prices between Madison and Denver translates to roughly $10,800 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
🔗 Related Tools
📚 Moving & Relocation Resources
Amazon affiliate links