Living Cost Compare
Ann Arbor

Michigan

$1,630/mo est.

vs
Madison

Wisconsin

$1,420/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,630 in Ann Arbor, MI versus $1,420 in Madison, WI. Overall, Madison, WI is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Ann Arbor, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,089 in Ann Arbor, MI and $76,983 in Madison, WI — about 5% higher in Ann Arbor, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Ann Arbor, MI
Madison, WI

Rent

Studio
$1,274
$1,018
+20% in Ann Arbor, MI
1 Bedroom
$1,389
$1,219
+12% in Ann Arbor, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,692
$1,432
+15% in Ann Arbor, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,812
$1,766
+3% in Ann Arbor, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$435,100
$346,900
+20% in Ann Arbor, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$81,089
$76,983
+5% in Ann Arbor, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,380
$58,080
+5% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
27.7 yr
31.8 yr
+4.1 yr in Madison, WI
Homeownership
45.6%
46.6%
+1.0 pp in Madison, WI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
77.7%
59.2%
+18.5 pp in Ann Arbor, MI
Avg Commute
19.9 min
19.4 min
+0.5 min in Ann Arbor, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
311
259.5
+17% in Ann Arbor, MI
Property Crime
1,744.5
1,884.5
+8% in Madison, WI

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
47.7°F
46.5°F
+1.2°F in Ann Arbor, MI
Annual Precipitation
32.8 in
34.5 in
+1.7 in in Madison, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
19.6
+15% in Ann Arbor, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$18.17
+8% in Ann Arbor, MI

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

Average prices — Midwest vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / WI)
6%
5%
+1.0 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
7.65%
+3.4 pp in WI

Ann Arbor vs Madison — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Ann Arbor or Madison?
Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Ann Arbor, MI's $1,630, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Ann Arbor than in Madison?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Ann Arbor versus $49,000 in Madison.
Which has lower taxes, Ann Arbor or Madison?
Ann Arbor is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).