Is it cheaper to live in Charlotte or Madison?

Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Charlotte, NC's $1,560, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $55,000 a year in Charlotte versus $49,000 in Madison.

Which has lower taxes, Charlotte or Madison?

Charlotte is taxed under North Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Charlotte vs Madison Cost of Living 2026

Charlotte

North Carolina

$1,560/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 $1,560 in Charlotte, NC versus $1,410 in Madison, WI. Overall, Madison, WI is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Charlotte, NC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,438 in Charlotte, NC and $76,983 in Madison, WI — about 2% higher in Charlotte, NC. North Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Charlotte, NC

Madison, WI

Rent

Studio

$1,424

$1,018

+29% in Charlotte, NC

1 Bedroom

$1,374

$1,219

+11% in Charlotte, NC

2 Bedroom

$1,491

$1,432

+4% in Charlotte, NC

3 Bedroom

$1,663

$1,766

+6% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$351,500

$346,900

+1% in Charlotte, NC

Income

Median Household Income

$78,438

$76,983

+2% in Charlotte, NC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,990

$58,080

+16% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.4 yr

31.8 yr

+2.6 yr in Charlotte, NC

Homeownership

51.5%

46.6%

+4.9 pp in Charlotte, NC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

47.4%

59.2%

+11.8 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

25.0 min

19.4 min

+5.6 min in Charlotte, NC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

733.1

259.5

+65% in Charlotte, NC

Property Crime

3,718.9

1,884.5

+49% in Charlotte, NC

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

59.9°F

46.5°F

+13.4°F in Charlotte, NC

Annual Precipitation

41.6 in

34.5 in

+7.2 in in Charlotte, NC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Madison, WI

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.20

—

Adult base one-way fare — CATS vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

19.7

+31% in Madison, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.56

$11.79

+57% in Charlotte, NC

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 Charlotte, NC

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 (NC / WI)

4.75%

+0.3 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

3.99%

7.65%

+3.7 pp in WI

Charlotte vs Madison — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Charlotte or Madison?: Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Charlotte, NC's $1,560, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Charlotte than in Madison?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $55,000 a year in Charlotte versus $49,000 in Madison.
Which has lower taxes, Charlotte or Madison?: Charlotte is taxed under North Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% 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).