Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Madison and Wilmington have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Wisconsin salaries · North Carolina salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Madison has a housing index of 115 while Wilmington sits at 108 (national average = 100). The median home in Madison costs $340,000 compared to $320,000 in Wilmington, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Madison versus $1,400 in Wilmington.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Madison scores 101 while Wilmington scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Madison (105) are lower than Wilmington (106). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Madison is $67,565 compared to $48,432 in Wilmington. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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