Madison vs Charleston — side-by-side
Cost of living: Madison vs Charleston (2026)
A $68,000 salary in Madison buys roughly what $68,000 does in Charleston (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$1,983/yr
Favoring Madison for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $165/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~91 months and still keep ~$20/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Madison Wisconsin | Charleston South Carolina | Who wins | Your impact at $68K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,300Wins | $1,500 | Madison wins +$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Madison |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,650Wins | $1,900 | Madison wins +$250/mo | $3,000/yr saves in Madison |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,200Wins | $2,500 | Madison wins +$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Madison |
| Median home price | $360KWins | $430K | Madison wins +$70K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 101 | 99Better | Charleston wins -2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14Better | $14 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $58Better | $58 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $62 | $55Better | Charleston wins −$7/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.20Better | $3.20 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145Better | $152 | Madison wins +$7/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $162Better | $162 | — | — |
| Internet/mo | $63Better | $63 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $68KBetter | $68K | — | — |
| State income tax% | 7.7% | 6.2%Wins | Charleston wins -1.5 pp | $1,020/yr saves in Charleston |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 5.4%Wins | 7.5% | Madison wins +2.1 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $42 | $40Better | Charleston wins −$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50Better | $6.50 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 97Better | 97 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 55Wins | 48 | Madison wins -7 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,020/yr tax difference into cash back
Madison fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Madison.
High-yield savings
Park ~$3,000/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Madison vs Charleston?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Madison is $1,650/month and in Charleston is $1,900/month. Madison is cheaper by 13%.
How much do I need to earn in Charleston to match a $75,000 salary in Madison?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Charleston to match a $75,000 salary in Madison. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Madison or Charleston?
Charleston has the lower state income tax rate at 6.2% vs 7.7%. The difference is 1.5 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Madison to Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Madison ↔ Charleston
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