Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas
A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,410 in Madison, WI versus $2,010 in New York City, NY. Overall, Madison, WI is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New York City, NY, driven mainly by rent.
Median household income is $76,983 in Madison, WI and $79,713 in New York City, NY — about 3% higher in New York City, NY. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.
Rent
Buying a Home
Income
People & Lifestyle
Crime (per 100k/yr)
FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.
Climate
Gas
Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs New York City.
Public Transit
Adult base one-way fare — — vs MTA (2026).
Utilities
Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.
Groceries
Average prices — Midwest vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.
State Taxes
Madison vs New York City — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Madison or New York City?
- Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below New York City, NY's $2,010, mainly because of rent.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Madison than in New York City?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $68,000 in New York City.
- Which has lower taxes, Madison or New York City?
- Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); New York City under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).