City Comparison

Madison vs Pueblo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Madison

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

Pueblo

Colorado
90
Below Average
$247,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$56,700
Median Income

The Verdict

17.8%

Living in Pueblo costs 17.8% less than Madison. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Madison, you would need $63,679 in Pueblo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Madison
81
Pueblo
Groceries
101
Madison
99
Pueblo
Utilities
97
Madison
96
Pueblo
Transportation
103
Madison
99
Pueblo
Healthcare
105
Madison
102
Pueblo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Madison has the same purchasing power as $63,679 in Pueblo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Pueblo equals $88,333 in Madison.

Living in Madison vs Pueblo

Housing Costs

Madison's housing index of 115 is higher Pueblo's 81, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $247,000. The $93,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,048 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Madison compared to $1,075/mo in Pueblo, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Madison and 99 in Pueblo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Madison vs $470/month in Pueblo. 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 96 in Pueblo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Madison vs $384 in Pueblo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Madison and 102 in Pueblo. 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 $56,700 in Pueblo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,741 and $63,000 respectively. Madison residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,577/month to housing in Madison vs $1,323/month in Pueblo. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Pueblo, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pueblo is 17.8% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,679 in Pueblo, based on the cost of living difference.
Madison's housing index is 115 with median homes at $340,000, while Pueblo's is 81 with median homes at $247,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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