Moving from Raleigh to Madison (2026)
Madison has a COL index of 97 vs 101 for Raleigh (100 = US average). You'd pay about 4% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$24/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
10197
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,700$1,650
per month
State tax
4.5%7.7%
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,459$4,259
per month
Salary needed in Madison to match your Raleigh lifestyle
Based on the 4% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Raleigh | Equivalent in Madison |
|---|---|
| $40K | $38,416 |
| $50K | $48,020 |
| $60K | $57,624 |
| $75K | $72,030 |
| $80K | $76,832 |
| $100K | $96,040 |
| $120K | $115,248 |
| $150K | $144,059 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Raleigh vs Madison
| Expense | Raleigh | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,459 | $4,259 |
| 1BR rent | $1,700 | $1,650 |
| Groceries | $365 | $384 |
| Transport | $70 | $62 |
| Utilities | $150 | $162 |
| Internet | $60 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $2,114 | $1,938 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Madison cheaper than Raleigh?
Yes. Madison has a cost of living index of 97 vs 101 for Raleigh (100 = US average). That's about 4% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Raleigh to Madison?
On a $75K salary, moving from Raleigh to Madison could save roughly $24/month on core expenses. That's ~$288/year.
What salary do I need in Madison to match my Raleigh lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Raleigh, you'd need roughly $72,030/year in Madison. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from Madison to RaleighRaleigh vs Madison — full comparisonRaleigh cost of livingMadison cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates at $75K. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only