Chicago, IL vs Madison, WI
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
Chicago and Madison sit close to each other across the headline cost-of-living indicators — typical homes within 9% of each other, median incomes within 2%. The relocation math comes down to non-housing factors: taxes, commute, climate, and personal preference.
Median Home Value
$315,200 ✓
$346,900
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$415,529
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo
$1,364/mo ✓
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
46.6%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
21.2x
Median Household Income
$75,134
$76,983 ✓
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$48,557
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
2.7% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
16.2%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
21.2 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
57.6%
Public Transit %
19.3%
5.8%
Work From Home %
18.3%
18.2%
State Income Tax
5.0%
7.7%
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
5.4% ✓
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
1.7%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.9%
33.5%
Median Age
35.7
31.8
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
56.5°F
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
37.1"
Annual Snowfall
—
51.8"
Chicago, IL 1 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
Madison, WI 4 wins
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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