Raleigh vs Madison

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · Wisconsin salaries

Living in Raleigh vs Madison

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Raleigh has a housing index of 107 while Madison sits at 115 (national average = 100). The median home in Raleigh costs $370,000 compared to $340,000 in Madison, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Raleigh versus $1,400 in Madison.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Raleigh scores 100 while Madison scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Raleigh (108) are higher than Madison (105).

Median household income in Raleigh is $67,266 compared to $67,565 in Madison. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Raleigh.

Relocating: Raleigh vs Madison

If you are considering a move between Raleigh (index: 102) and Madison (index: 106), the 4% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Raleigh is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Raleigh can afford $1,570/month, while the median household in Madison can afford $1,577/month. With median homes at $370,000 in Raleigh versus $340,000 in Madison, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $1,500/month in Raleigh and $1,400/month in Madison, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Raleigh (102) vs Madison (106)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Raleigh at 102 is 2% above the US average, while Madison at 106 is 6% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Raleigh and Madison land within 4 points of each other on the composite index (102 vs 106), so the overall cost picture is similar. Housing shows the widest single-category margin at 107 versus 115, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Raleigh and Madison. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Raleigh at 107 and Madison at 115 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $370,000 and $340,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Raleigh has an edge in housing and groceries, while Madison is more affordable for healthcare. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,500/month in Raleigh and $1,400/month in Madison, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,200. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $6,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $30,000 difference in median home prices between Raleigh and Madison translates to roughly $1,800 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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