City Comparison

Madison vs Nampa

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Madison

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

Nampa

Idaho
105
Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$74,300
Median Income

The Verdict

1.0%

Living in Nampa costs 1.0% less than Madison. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Madison, you would need $74,292 in Nampa.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Madison
104
Nampa
Groceries
101
Madison
105
Nampa
Utilities
97
Madison
83
Nampa
Transportation
103
Madison
113
Nampa
Healthcare
105
Madison
102
Nampa

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Madison has the same purchasing power as $74,292 in Nampa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Nampa equals $75,714 in Madison.

Living in Madison vs Nampa

Housing Costs

Madison's housing index of 115 is higher Nampa's 104, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $371,000. The $31,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,016 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Madison compared to $1,500/mo in Nampa, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Madison and 105 in Nampa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Madison vs $499/month in Nampa. 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 97 in Madison and 83 in Nampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Madison vs $332 in Nampa. 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 105 in Madison and 102 in Nampa. 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 $67,565 in Madison and $74,300 in Nampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,741 and $70,762 respectively. Nampa residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,577/month to housing in Madison vs $1,734/month in Nampa. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nampa is 1.0% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,292 in Nampa, based on the cost of living difference.
Madison's housing index is 115 with median homes at $340,000, while Nampa's is 104 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases