Is it cheaper to live in Madison or Warwick?

Warwick, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Madison, WI's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $43,000 in Warwick.

Which has lower taxes, Madison or Warwick?

Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Madison vs Warwick Cost of Living 2026

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,420/mo est.

Warwick

Rhode Island

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Warwick, RI. Overall, Warwick, RI is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Madison, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $76,983 in Madison, WI and $87,536 in Warwick, RI — about 12% higher in Warwick, RI. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Madison, WI

Warwick, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,018

$923

+9% in Madison, WI

1 Bedroom

$1,219

$1,085

+11% in Madison, WI

2 Bedroom

$1,432

$1,629

+14% in Warwick, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,766

$1,569

+11% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$346,900

$322,000

+7% in Madison, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$76,983

$87,536

+14% in Warwick, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$58,080

$53,680

+8% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

44.6 yr

+12.8 yr in Warwick, RI

Homeownership

46.6%

73.4%

+26.8 pp in Warwick, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

59.2%

33.2%

+26.0 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

19.4 min

25.0 min

+5.6 min in Warwick, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

259.5

79.5

+69% in Madison, WI

Property Crime

1,884.5

1,149.5

+39% in Madison, WI

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

51.6°F

+5.1°F in Warwick, RI

Annual Precipitation

34.5 in

47.2 in

+12.7 in in Warwick, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Warwick, RI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.6

29.2

+49% in Warwick, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.17

$25.75

+42% in Warwick, RI

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 Warwick, RI

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Warwick, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Warwick, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Warwick, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / RI)

+2.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

5.99%

+1.7 pp in WI

Madison vs Warwick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Madison or Warwick?: Warwick, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Madison, WI's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Madison than in Warwick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $43,000 in Warwick.
Which has lower taxes, Madison or Warwick?: Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).