Madison vs Split for Nurses (2026)
Scroll down for travel nurse analysis, rent burden, and FAQ.
Your move simulator
Slide to match your household — estimates combine take-home, rent, and groceries.
Estimated annual swing
−$1,356/yr
Favoring Split for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $113/mo in Split, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still increase your fun budget.
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while rates are high
Even $113/mo extra earns meaningfully at 4–5% APY vs near-zero in checking.
Travel nursing edge
Split: maximize take-home on your next contract
Travel nurses in Split often keep more after housing stipends at 20% state tax.
Home + auto bundle
New state — compare rates before you sign
Moving to Split resets your insurance profile. Bundling home + auto often saves 15–25%.
Nurse salary cost breakdown
| Metric | Madison Wisconsin | Split Split-Dalmatia County | Your impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| State income tax | 7.7%Better | 20% | $9,225/yr saves in Madison |
| Est. monthly take-home ($82.75K RN) | $6,365Better | $5,517 | — |
| 1BR rent / month | $1,650 | $700Better | $11,400/yr saves in Split |
| 1BR rent burden | 26% | 13%Better | — |
| Internet / month | $63 | $25Better | $456/yr saves in Split |
| Monthly utilities | $162 | $80Better | $984/yr saves in Split |
| Walk score | 55 / 100 | 72 / 100Better | — |
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 97 | 55Better | — |
Your biggest money opportunities based on this comparison.
Nurse tax savings
Madison saves ~$848/mo on a nurse salary
No-tax states are especially powerful for nurses and travel nurses. Put that extra take-home in a high-yield savings account.
Savings potential
Split: ~$4,377/mo after rent & living
Nurses with strong take-home can build wealth fast. Compare brokers and robo-advisors to put it to work.
Renters insurance
Split saves ~$950/mo in rent
Protect your home — nursing shifts are long and you want peace of mind when you're away.
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Mortgages
See what you can afford in Split
Compare rates from top lenders before your move — pre-approval is free and won't affect your score.
Home & Auto Insurance
Bundle before you move — save 15–25%
New state means new rates. Lock in Split homeowners + auto quotes before your move date.
Moving Rewards Card
Turn closing costs & moving expenses into cash back
Average family spends $6,200 on a move. These cards pay 2–4% back + 0% intro APR on purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is better for nurses — Madison or Split?
For nurses, Split is the stronger choice based on take-home pay after taxes, rent burden, and cost of living. The key differentiator is state income tax: Madison has a lower state tax rate (7.7% vs 20%). For travel nurses specifically, no-income-tax states are especially valuable since housing stipends are already tax-exempt — earning more in a no-tax state can be worth $3,000–$6,000/year more in take-home pay.
How much take-home pay does a nurse earn in Madison vs Split?
Based on the national average RN salary of $82,750/year, a nurse in Madison (7.7% state income tax) takes home approximately $6,365/month. In Split (20% state income tax), take-home is $5,517/month — a difference of $848/month or ~$10,176/year. Note: this calculation uses state income tax only; federal taxes are not included.
What percentage of a nurse's income goes to rent in Madison vs Split?
Financial advisors recommend keeping housing under 30% of gross income. In Madison, rent consumes 26% of a nurse's monthly take-home — manageable with careful budgeting. In Split, rent burden is 13% — very affordable.
Is Madison or Split better for travel nurses?
Travel nurses on assignment typically receive a base wage PLUS a tax-free housing stipend (usually $1,500–$3,000/month) that covers housing costs. For travel nurses, the state income tax on the base wage is the primary cost difference. Madison (7.7% rate) is more advantageous. The housing stipend covers most rent — so the $848/month tax difference goes directly into savings, compounding over a 13-week assignment to $2,544 extra in take-home.
How does the cost of living affect a nurse's purchasing power in Madison vs Split?
A $82,750 nurse salary in Split (COL 55) has the equivalent purchasing power of $145,941 in Madison (COL 97). The lower-cost city effectively gives nurses a ~76% raise with no salary negotiation required — more savings, faster debt payoff, and greater financial flexibility.
Nurse salary based on national median RN wage ($82,750/year, BLS 2024). Take-home calculated using state income tax rate only; federal taxes not included. Travel nurse stipend rules vary by assignment and employer. Data: BLS, Zillow, Tax Foundation · Q1 2026