Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Madison?

Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Madison?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $49,000 in Madison.

Which has lower taxes, Boston or Madison?

Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Boston vs Madison Cost of Living 2026

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/mo est.

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,410/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,290 in Boston, MA versus $1,410 in Madison, WI. Overall, Madison, WI is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $76,983 in Madison, WI — about 19% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Boston, MA

Madison, WI

Rent

Studio

$1,890

$1,018

+46% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,978

$1,219

+38% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,155

$1,432

+34% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$2,234

$1,766

+21% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$710,400

$346,900

+51% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$94,755

$76,983

+19% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$58,080

+13% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.2 yr

31.8 yr

+1.4 yr in Boston, MA

Homeownership

35.4%

46.6%

+11.2 pp in Madison, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.1%

59.2%

+5.1 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

30.2 min

19.4 min

+10.8 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

630.2

259.5

+59% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

2,030.8

1,884.5

+7% in Boston, MA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.5°F

46.5°F

+5.0°F in Boston, MA

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

34.5 in

+9.3 in in Boston, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.95/gal

$3.94/gal

+0% in Boston, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

28.8

19.7

+32% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.39

$11.79

+62% in Boston, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Boston, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Boston, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Boston, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / WI)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

7.65%

+1.3 pp in MA

Boston vs Madison — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Madison?: Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Madison?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $49,000 in Madison.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Madison?: Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).