$100K in Boston = $59,877 in Madison
Your $100K salary in Boston (COL 162) has the same purchasing power as $59,877 in Madison (COL 97). Madison is cheaper — your money goes 40% further there.
Budget breakdown — $100K in both cities
What $100K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Boston $100K | Madison $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,904 | $5,679 |
| 1BR rent | $3,000 | $1,650 |
| Groceries | $418 | $384 |
| Transport | $90 | $62 |
| Utilities | $185 | $162 |
| Internet | $70 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $2,141/month | $3,358/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in Boston equivalent to in Madison?
$100K in Boston (COL index 162) has the same purchasing power as $59,877 in Madison (COL index 97). That's 40% less than your current salary.
If I move from Boston to Madison keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $100K after moving to Madison, you'd have $1,217 more per month after core expenses — because Madison is cheaper than Boston.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $100K × (97 ÷ 162) = $59,877. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Boston to Madison
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only