$100K in Tempe = $94,175 in Madison
Your $100K salary in Tempe (COL 103) has the same purchasing power as $94,175 in Madison (COL 97). Madison is cheaper — your money goes 6% further there.
Budget breakdown — $100K in both cities
What $100K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Tempe $100K | Madison $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,113 | $5,679 |
| 1BR rent | $1,600 | $1,650 |
| Groceries | $380 | $384 |
| Transport | $55 | $62 |
| Utilities | $210 | $162 |
| Internet | $62 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $3,806/month | $3,358/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in Tempe equivalent to in Madison?
$100K in Tempe (COL index 103) has the same purchasing power as $94,175 in Madison (COL index 97). That's 6% less than your current salary.
If I move from Tempe to Madison keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $100K after moving to Madison, you'd have $-448 more per month after core expenses — because Madison is cheaper than Tempe.
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 ÷ 103) = $94,175. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Tempe to Madison
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only