Is it cheaper to live in Madison or New Haven?

Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $51,000 in New Haven.

Which has lower taxes, Madison or New Haven?

Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); New Haven under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax).

Madison vs New Haven Cost of Living 2026

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,420/mo est.

New Haven

Connecticut

$1,530/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,420 in Madison, WI versus $1,530 in New Haven, CT. Overall, Madison, WI is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New Haven, CT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $76,983 in Madison, WI and $53,771 in New Haven, CT — about 30% higher in Madison, WI. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax.

Madison, WI

New Haven, CT

Rent

Studio

$1,018

$1,159

+14% in New Haven, CT

1 Bedroom

$1,219

$1,275

+5% in New Haven, CT

2 Bedroom

$1,432

$1,473

+3% in New Haven, CT

3 Bedroom

$1,766

$1,636

+7% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$346,900

$249,000

+28% in Madison, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$76,983

$53,771

+30% in Madison, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$58,080

$60,060

+3% in New Haven, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

31.9 yr

+0.1 yr in New Haven, CT

Homeownership

46.6%

28.4%

+18.2 pp in Madison, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

59.2%

37.7%

+21.5 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

19.4 min

21.0 min

+1.6 min in New Haven, CT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

259.5

536.3

+107% in New Haven, CT

Property Crime

1,884.5

3,601.6

+91% in New Haven, CT

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

46.5°F

52.2°F

+5.7°F in New Haven, CT

Annual Precipitation

34.5 in

47.1 in

+12.6 in in New Haven, CT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in New Haven, CT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.6

24.3

+24% in New Haven, CT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.17

$23.33

+28% in New Haven, CT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in New Haven, CT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in New Haven, CT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in New Haven, CT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in New Haven, CT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / CT)

6.35%

+1.3 pp in CT

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

6.99%

+0.7 pp in WI

Madison vs New Haven — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Madison or New Haven?: Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,420 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Madison than in New Haven?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $51,000 in New Haven.
Which has lower taxes, Madison or New Haven?: Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); New Haven under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% 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).