Is it cheaper to live in Madison or Rutland?

Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Madison, WI's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $34,000 in Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Madison or Rutland?

Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Madison vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,420/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Rutland, VT. Overall, Rutland, VT is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Madison, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $76,983 in Madison, WI and $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 29% higher in Madison, WI. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Madison, WI

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$1,018

$893

+12% in Madison, WI

1 Bedroom

$1,219

$856

+30% in Madison, WI

2 Bedroom

$1,432

$1,097

+23% in Madison, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,766

$1,207

+32% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$346,900

$176,400

+49% in Madison, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$76,983

$55,000

+29% in Madison, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$58,080

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

48.5 yr

+16.7 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

46.6%

52.7%

+6.1 pp in Rutland, VT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

59.2%

32.2%

+27.0 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

19.4 min

14.7 min

+4.7 min in Madison, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

259.5

487.8

+88% in Rutland, VT

Property Crime

1,884.5

3,973.3

+111% in Rutland, VT

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

44.6°F

+1.9°F in Madison, WI

Annual Precipitation

34.5 in

40.5 in

+6.0 in in Rutland, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Rutland, VT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.6

24.4

+25% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.17

$26.07

+43% in Rutland, VT

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 Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / VT)

+1.0 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

8.75%

+1.1 pp in VT

Madison vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Madison or Rutland?: Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Madison, WI's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Madison than in Rutland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $34,000 in Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Madison or Rutland?: Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% 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).