Is it cheaper to live in Madison or Reno?

Reno, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $48,000 in Reno.

Which has lower taxes, Madison or Reno?

Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Madison vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,410/mo est.

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,410 in Madison, WI versus $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Reno, NV is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Madison, WI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $76,983 in Madison, WI and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 2% higher in Reno, NV. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Madison, WI

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$1,018

$964

+5% in Madison, WI

1 Bedroom

$1,219

$1,206

+1% in Madison, WI

2 Bedroom

$1,432

$1,518

+6% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,766

$1,885

+7% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$346,900

$498,600

+44% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$76,983

$78,448

+2% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$58,080

$49,660

+14% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

37.3 yr

+5.5 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

46.6%

49.4%

+2.8 pp in Reno, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

59.2%

35.7%

+23.5 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

19.4 min

20.6 min

+1.2 min in Reno, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

259.5

528.9

+104% in Reno, NV

Property Crime

1,884.5

2,489.3

+32% in Reno, NV

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

53.8°F

+7.3°F in Reno, NV

Annual Precipitation

34.5 in

7.4 in

+27.1 in in Madison, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.09/gal

+29% in Reno, NV

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

13.6

+31% in Madison, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$12.09

+3% in Reno, NV

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Reno, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Madison, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Reno, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / NV)

6.85%

+1.8 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

None

+7.7 pp in WI

Madison vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Madison or Reno?: Reno, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Madison than in Reno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $48,000 in Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Madison or Reno?: Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).