New York, NY vs Madison, WI
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
The headline difference between these two markets is housing: a typical home in Madison runs $347,000 versus $752,000 in New York, a 54% gap that dominates most relocation math. State income-tax burden also tilts toward Madison — a top rate of 7.7% versus 10.9% — which compounds at higher incomes.
Median Home Value
$751,700
$346,900 ✓
Zillow Home Value
$812,534
$415,529
Median Gross Rent
$1,779/mo
$1,364/mo ✓
Owner Occupied %
32.8%
46.6%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
35.2x
21.2x
Median Household Income
$79,713 ✓
$76,983
Per Capita Income
$50,776
$48,557
Unemployment Rate
7.7%
2.7% ✓
Poverty Rate
17.4%
16.2%
Avg Commute (min)
44.8 min
21.2 min
Drove Alone %
21.9%
57.6%
Public Transit %
45.5%
5.8%
Work From Home %
15.0%
18.2%
State Income Tax
10.9%
7.7%
Total Sales Tax
8.5%
5.4% ✓
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
1.7%
Bachelor's Degree %
23.6%
33.5%
Median Age
38
31.8
Avg High Temp
62.6°F
56.5°F
Annual Precipitation
49.5"
37.1"
Annual Snowfall
29.8"
51.8"
New York, NY 1 wins
- ✓Median Household Income
Madison, WI 4 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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