City Comparison

Madison vs Tyler

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Madison

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

Tyler

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$54,800
Median Income

The Verdict

24.7%

Living in Tyler costs 24.7% less than Madison. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Madison, you would need $60,142 in Tyler.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Madison
69
Tyler
Groceries
101
Madison
96
Tyler
Utilities
97
Madison
97
Tyler
Transportation
103
Madison
92
Tyler
Healthcare
105
Madison
93
Tyler

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Madison has the same purchasing power as $60,142 in Tyler.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $93,529 in Madison.

Living in Madison vs Tyler

Housing Costs

Madison's housing index of 115 is higher Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $250,000. The $90,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,856 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 Tyler, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Madison and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Madison vs $456/month in Tyler. 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 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Madison vs $388 in Tyler. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Madison and 93 in Tyler. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,741 and $64,471 respectively. Tyler 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tyler is 24.7% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,142 in Tyler, based on the cost of living difference.
Madison's housing index is 115 with median homes at $340,000, while Tyler's is 69 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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