Split wins overall by ~43% (COL index)
Cost of living: Split vs Madison (2026)
A $75,000 salary in Split buys roughly what $132,273 does in Madison (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Slide to match your household — estimates combine take-home, rent, and groceries.
Estimated annual swing
+$2,232/yr
Favoring Split for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $186/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~81 months and still keep ~$22/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 | Split Split-Dalmatia County | Madison Wisconsin | Who wins | Your impact at $75K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $500Wins | $1,300 | Split wins +$800/mo | $9,600/yr saves in Split |
| 1BR rent/mo | $700Wins | $1,650 | Split wins +$950/mo | $11,400/yr saves in Split |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,100Wins | $2,200 | Split wins +$1,100/mo | $13,200/yr saves in Split |
| Median home price | — | $360K | — | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | — | 101 | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $9Wins | $14 | Split wins +$5/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $38Wins | $58 | Split wins +$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Split |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | — | $62 | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | — | $3.20 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | — | $145 | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $80Wins | $162 | Split wins +$82/mo | $984/yr saves in Split |
| Internet/mo | $25Wins | $63 | Split wins +$38/mo | $456/yr saves in Split |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | — | $68K | — | — |
| State income tax% | 20.0% | 7.7%Wins | Madison wins -12.3 pp | $9,225/yr saves in Madison |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 25.0% | 5.4%Wins | Madison wins -19.6 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | — | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $38Better | $42 | Split wins +$4/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | — | $6.50 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 55Wins | 97 | Split wins +42 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 72Wins | 55 | Split wins -17 more/yr | — |
While you're comparing — don't leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$9,216/yr tax differences into cash back
Split 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 Split.
High-yield savings
Park ~$11,400/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 toolWhile 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
Is Split cheaper than Madison?
Yes. Split is 43% cheaper than Madison based on overall cost of living indices (55 vs 97, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Split vs Madison?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Split is $700/month and in Madison is $1,650/month. Split is cheaper by 58%.
How much do I need to earn in Madison to match a $75,000 salary in Split?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $132,273/year in Madison to match a $75,000 salary in Split. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Split or Madison?
Madison has the lower state income tax rate at 7.7% vs 20%. The difference is 12.3 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Split to Madison?
It depends on your priorities. Split offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. 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: Split ↔ Madison
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