Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
8% cheaper
Spokane is 8% more affordable than Madison. A $75,000 salary in Madison is equivalent to $69,340 in Spokane.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Wisconsin salaries · Washington salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Madison has a housing index of 115 while Spokane sits at 94 (national average = 100). The median home in Madison costs $340,000 compared to $310,000 in Spokane, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Madison versus $1,200 in Spokane.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Madison scores 101 while Spokane scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Madison (105) are higher than Spokane (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Madison is $67,565 compared to $48,834 in Spokane. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Spokane.
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