Cost of Living Comparison Between Madison, WI and New York, NY Cost of Living Comparison Between Madison, WI and New York, NY

๐Ÿ™‚ Solo nomad: Madison, WI is 29.3% cheaper than New York, NY without rent, and 35.7% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ™‚ Family of 3: Madison, WI is 32.7% cheaper than New York, NY without rent, and 44.6% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Madison, WI
New York, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.94 $14.94
$29.68 $29.68
-49.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75 $75
$144 $144
-47.95%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.87 $10.87
$12.43 $12.43
-12.55%
Cappuccino
$5.3 $5.3
$5.84 $5.84
-9.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$3.26 $3.26
-17.18%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28 $2.28
$2.58 $2.58
-11.63%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.92 $5.92
$8.24 $8.24
-28.16%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.86 $6.86
$11.86 $11.86
-42.16%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Madison, WI
New York, NY
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.88 $0.88
$1.56 $1.56
-43.59%
White Bread (500g)
$3.79 $3.79
$5.23 $5.23
-27.53%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.32 $5.32
$8.11 $8.11
-34.40%
Eggs
$4.07 $4.07
$7.25 $7.25
-43.86%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.68 $13.68
$17.08 $17.08
-19.91%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.08 $13.08
$16.24 $16.24
-19.46%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.17 $16.17
$20.02 $20.02
-19.23%
Apples (1kg)
$4.57 $4.57
$7.49 $7.49
-38.99%
Banana (1kg)
$1.54 $1.54
$2.55 $2.55
-39.61%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.8 $5.8
$5.82 $5.82
-0.34%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.81 $4.81
$6.52 $6.52
-26.23%
Potato (1kg)
$2.62 $2.62
$3.72 $3.72
-29.57%
Onion (1kg)
$3.02 $3.02
$3.9 $3.9
-22.56%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.95 $1.95
$3.07 $3.07
-36.48%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.03 $2.03
$2.57 $2.57
-21.01%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.89 $9.89
$19.21 $19.21
-48.52%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.19 $12.19
$17.79 $17.79
-31.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.38 $2.38
$3.01 $3.01
-20.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.71 $4.71
$3.72 $3.72
26.61%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Madison, WI
New York, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.96 $1.96
$2.92 $2.92
-32.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$62.4 $62.4
$134 $134
-53.42%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.46 $4.46
$5.13 $5.13
-13.06%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.14 $2.14
$2.15 $2.15
-0.47%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$42.61 $42.61
$41.57 $41.57
2.50%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.88 $0.88
$0.95 $0.95
-7.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.8K $24.8K
$35K $35K
-29.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$27.7K $27.7K
-7.93%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Madison, WI
New York, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$217 $217
$179 $179
21.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.9 $50.9
$60 $60
-15.21%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$73.7 $73.7
$63.8 $63.8
15.46%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Madison, WI
New York, NY
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$63.6 $63.6
$141 $141
-54.81%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.52 $29.52
$63.9 $63.9
-53.80%
Cinema Ticket
$14.88 $14.88
$19.9 $19.9
-25.23%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Madison, WI
New York, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,655 $1,655
$3,206 $3,206
-48.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$24.1K $24.1K
$56.5K $56.5K
-57.24%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Madison, WI
New York, NY
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.1 $67.1
$65.7 $65.7
2.07%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.04 $49.04
$48.75 $48.75
0.59%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$101 $101
$111 $111
-9.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$133 $133
$172 $172
-22.47%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Madison, WI
New York, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,687 $1,687
$4,165 $4,165
-59.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,459 $1,459
$2,653 $2,653
-45.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,027 $3,027
$8,412 $8,412
-64.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,440 $2,440
$5,277 $5,277
-53.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,925 $2,925
$15.6K $15.6K
-81.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,414 $2,414
$11.2K $11.2K
-78.36%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Madison, WI
New York, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,398 $4,398
$5,616 $5,616
-21.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.55
6.44
1.71%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Madison, WI: October 27, 2025

Last update for New York, NY: October 28, 2025

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