Moving from Madison to Montgomery (2026)

Montgomery has a COL index of 81 vs 97 for Madison (100 = US average). You'd pay about 16% less for the same lifestyle.

Save ~$769/mo
on rent + taxes ยท $75K salary baseline

Change cities

Key differences

COL index
97 โ†’ 81
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,650 โ†’ $1,050
per month
State tax
7.7% โ†’ 5%
income tax
COL difference
97 โ†’ 81
16% cheaper

Salary needed in Montgomery to match your Madison lifestyle

Based on the 16% cost of living decrease between the two cities.

Your salary in MadisonEquivalent in Montgomery
$40K$33,402
$50K$41,753
$60K$50,103
$75K$62,629
$80K$66,804
$100K$83,505
$120K$100,206
$150K$125,258

๐Ÿ’ต Household income (before tax)

$75K
$
$30K$300K
Save ~$652/moon core expenses at $75K

Monthly budget at $75K โ€” Madison vs Montgomery

ExpenseMadisonMontgomery
Monthly take-home$4,259$4,428
1BR rent$1,650$1,050
Groceries$384$353
Transport$62$38
Utilities$162$170
Internet$63$58
Left after essentials$1,938$2,759

30-Year Wealth Builder

If you invest your monthly savings of $652 in a low-cost index fund (7% avg return), you'd accumulate an extra:

$795,421

over 30 years compared to staying in Madison โ€” that's the real price of a city.

$652/mo invested

Frequently asked questions

Is Montgomery cheaper than Madison?

Yes. Montgomery has a cost of living index of 81 vs 97 for Madison (100 = US average). That's about 16% cheaper.

How much will I save moving from Madison to Montgomery?

On a $75K salary, moving from Madison to Montgomery saves roughly $769/month on core expenses. That's ~$9,228/year.

What salary do I need in Montgomery to match my Madison lifestyle?

To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Madison, you'd need roughly $62,629/year in Montgomery. This is based on the overall COL index difference.

Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates. Zillow ยท BLS ยท Numbeo ยท For general guidance only