Is it cheaper to live in Charleston or Madison?

Charleston, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $860 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $27,000 a year in Charleston versus $49,000 in Madison.

Which has lower taxes, Charleston or Madison?

Charleston is taxed under West Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).

Charleston vs Madison Cost of Living 2026

Charleston

West Virginia

$860/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 $860 in Charleston, WV versus $1,410 in Madison, WI. Overall, Charleston, WV is roughly 39% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Madison, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $64,512 in Charleston, WV and $76,983 in Madison, WI — about 16% higher in Madison, WI. West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Charleston, WV

Madison, WI

Rent

Studio

$630

$1,018

+62% in Madison, WI

1 Bedroom

$668

$1,219

+82% in Madison, WI

2 Bedroom

$980

$1,432

+46% in Madison, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,139

$1,766

+55% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$187,300

$346,900

+85% in Madison, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$64,512

$76,983

+19% in Madison, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,830

$58,080

+27% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

42.6 yr

31.8 yr

+10.8 yr in Charleston, WV

Homeownership

62.8%

46.6%

+16.2 pp in Charleston, WV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.1%

59.2%

+15.1 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

17.9 min

19.4 min

+1.5 min in Madison, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

542.7

259.5

+52% in Charleston, WV

Property Crime

3,148

1,884.5

+40% in Charleston, WV

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

55.7°F

46.5°F

+9.2°F in Charleston, WV

Annual Precipitation

44.0 in

34.5 in

+9.6 in in Charleston, WV

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Madison, WI

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.8

19.7

+17% in Madison, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.68

$11.79

+52% in Charleston, WV

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Madison, WI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Charleston, WV

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Madison, WI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Madison, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WV / WI)

+1.0 pp in WV

Income Tax (top rate)

4.82%

7.65%

+2.8 pp in WI

Charleston vs Madison — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Charleston or Madison?: Charleston, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $860 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Charleston than in Madison?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $27,000 a year in Charleston versus $49,000 in Madison.
Which has lower taxes, Charleston or Madison?: Charleston is taxed under West Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).