Madison vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Madison
Stockholm
The Verdict
Living in Stockholm costs 9.3% less than Madison. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Madison, you would need $68,632 in Stockholm.
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 $68,632 in Stockholm.
Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $81,959 in Madison.
Living in Madison vs Stockholm
Housing Costs
Madison's housing index of 115 is lower Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $445,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Madison compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Madison and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Madison vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm 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 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Madison vs $352 in Stockholm. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Madison and 82 in Stockholm. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-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 $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,741 and $51,546 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 $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases