$75K in Madison = $71,907 in Wilmington
Your $75K salary in Madison (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $71,907 in Wilmington (COL 93). Wilmington is cheaper — your money goes 4% further there.
Budget breakdown — $75K in both cities
What $75K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Madison $75K | Wilmington $75K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,259 | $4,459 |
| 1BR rent | $1,650 | $1,550 |
| Groceries | $384 | $372 |
| Transport | $62 | $45 |
| Utilities | $162 | $158 |
| Internet | $63 | $62 |
| Left after essentials | $1,938/month | $2,272/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $75K in Madison equivalent to in Wilmington?
$75K in Madison (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $71,907 in Wilmington (COL index 93). That's 4% less than your current salary.
If I move from Madison to Wilmington keeping my $75K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $75K after moving to Wilmington, you'd have $334 more per month after core expenses — because Wilmington is cheaper than Madison.
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: $75K × (93 ÷ 97) = $71,907. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Madison to Wilmington
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only