Is it cheaper to live in Madison or Tacoma?

Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Madison or Tacoma?

Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Madison vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,410/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Madison, WI is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $76,983 in Madison, WI and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 8% higher in Tacoma, WA. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Madison, WI

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,018

$1,178

+16% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,219

$1,332

+9% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,432

$1,693

+18% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,766

$2,094

+19% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$346,900

$454,600

+31% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$76,983

$83,857

+9% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$58,080

$72,610

+25% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

37.3 yr

+5.5 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

46.6%

56.5%

+9.9 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

59.2%

33.5%

+25.7 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

19.4 min

29.0 min

+9.6 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

259.5

1,064.4

+310% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

1,884.5

5,695.2

+202% in Tacoma, WA

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

52.1°F

+5.6°F in Tacoma, WA

Annual Precipitation

34.5 in

43.0 in

+8.5 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

14.9

+24% in Madison, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$20.41

+73% in Tacoma, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Madison, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / WA)

6.5%

+1.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

None

+7.7 pp in WI

Madison vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Madison or Tacoma?: Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Madison than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Madison or Tacoma?: Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).