City Comparison

Madison vs Ogden

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Madison

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

Ogden

Utah
107
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,250/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

The Verdict

0.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 0.9%, with Madison being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to $75,708 in Ogden.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Madison
112
Ogden
Groceries
101
Madison
92
Ogden
Utilities
97
Madison
80
Ogden
Transportation
103
Madison
101
Ogden
Healthcare
105
Madison
91
Ogden

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Madison has the same purchasing power as $75,708 in Ogden.

Conversely, $75,000 in Ogden equals $74,299 in Madison.

Living in Madison vs Ogden

Housing Costs

Madison's housing index of 115 is higher Ogden's 112, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $385,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Madison compared to $1,250/mo in Ogden, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Madison and 80 in Ogden. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Madison vs $320 in Ogden. 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 91 in Ogden. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $67,565 in Madison and $70,100 in Ogden. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,741 and $65,514 respectively. Ogden 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 $1,636/month in Ogden. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Ogden, median rent of $1,250/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Madison is 0.9% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,708 in Ogden, based on the cost of living difference.
Madison's housing index is 115 with median homes at $340,000, while Ogden's is 112 with median homes at $385,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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