Madison vs Racine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Madison
Racine
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 20.5%, with Racine being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to $62,264 in Racine.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Madison has the same purchasing power as $62,264 in Racine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $90,341 in Madison.
Living in Madison vs Racine
Housing Costs
Madison's housing index of 115 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $126,000. The $214,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,908 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Madison compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Madison and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Madison vs $461/month in Racine. 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 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Madison vs $376 in Racine. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Madison and 111 in Racine. 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 $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,741 and $65,568 respectively. Racine 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 $1,346/month in Racine. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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