Is it cheaper to live in Madison or West Valley City?

West Valley City, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Madison, WI's $1,420, mainly because of electricity costs.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Madison than in West Valley City?

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 West Valley City.

Which has lower taxes, Madison or West Valley City?

Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); West Valley City under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Madison vs West Valley City Cost of Living 2026

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,420/mo est.

West Valley City

Utah

$1,330/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 $1,330 in West Valley City, UT. Overall, West Valley City, UT is roughly 6% 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 $88,604 in West Valley City, UT — about 13% higher in West Valley City, UT. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Madison, WI

West Valley City, UT

Rent

Studio

$1,018

$1,085

+7% in West Valley City, UT

1 Bedroom

$1,219

$1,191

+2% in Madison, WI

2 Bedroom

$1,432

$1,333

+7% in Madison, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,766

$1,723

+2% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$346,900

$377,300

+9% in West Valley City, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$76,983

$88,604

+15% in West Valley City, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$58,080

$55,240

+5% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

30.3 yr

+1.5 yr in Madison, WI

Homeownership

46.6%

71.1%

+24.5 pp in West Valley City, UT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

59.2%

15.7%

+43.5 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

19.4 min

22.2 min

+2.8 min in West Valley City, UT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

259.5

471.8

+82% in West Valley City, UT

Property Crime

1,884.5

1,855.5

+2% 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

52.8°F

+6.3°F in West Valley City, UT

Annual Precipitation

34.5 in

16.1 in

+18.4 in in Madison, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in West Valley City, UT

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.6

13.4

+32% in Madison, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.17

$11.84

+35% in Madison, WI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in West Valley City, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in West Valley City, UT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in West Valley City, UT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Madison, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in West Valley City, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / UT)

6.1%

+1.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

4.50%

+3.2 pp in WI

Madison vs West Valley City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Madison or West Valley City?: West Valley City, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Madison, WI's $1,420, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Madison than in West Valley City?: 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 West Valley City.
Which has lower taxes, Madison or West Valley City?: Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); West Valley City under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).