Madison vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Madison
Roanoke
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 30.9%, with Roanoke being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to $57,311 in Roanoke.
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 $57,311 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $98,148 in Madison.
Living in Madison vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Madison's housing index of 115 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $225,000. The $115,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,476 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 Roanoke, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Madison and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Madison vs $461/month in Roanoke. 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 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Madison vs $464 in Roanoke. 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 Roanoke. 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 $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,741 and $65,062 respectively. Roanoke 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 $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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