Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Madison?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $49,000 in Madison.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Madison?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Madison Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Columbus, GA versus $1,410 in Madison, WI. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Madison, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $76,983 in Madison, WI — about 26% higher in Madison, WI. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Madison, WI

Rent

Studio

$826

$1,018

+23% in Madison, WI

1 Bedroom

$875

$1,219

+39% in Madison, WI

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,432

+45% in Madison, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,766

+45% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$346,900

+90% in Madison, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$76,983

+36% in Madison, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$58,080

+33% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

31.8 yr

+3.3 yr in Columbus, GA

Homeownership

50.2%

46.6%

+3.6 pp in Columbus, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

59.2%

+29.5 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

20.2 min

19.4 min

+0.8 min in Columbus, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

259.5

+58% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,273.4

1,884.5

+17% in Columbus, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.7°F

46.5°F

+19.2°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

34.5 in

+12.3 in in Columbus, GA

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)

15.8

19.7

+25% in Madison, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$11.79

+65% in Columbus, GA

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 Columbus, GA

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 (GA / WI)

+1.0 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

7.65%

+2.5 pp in WI

Columbus vs Madison — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Madison?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Madison?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $49,000 in Madison.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Madison?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).