Is Madison, WI cheaper or more expensive than Chicago, IL?

Madison, WI (RPP 95.3) is cheaper than Chicago, IL (RPP 105.7) by about 9.8%.

What salary do I need in Madison, WI if I earn $100,000 in Chicago, IL?

You would need approximately $90,161 in Madison, WI to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago, IL. Formula: $100,000 x (95.3 / 105.7).

Which metro had stronger net migration, Chicago, IL or Madison, WI?

For 2021-2022, Chicago, IL had a net loss of 73,936 people, while Madison, WI had a net loss of 1,925 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

Route comparison

Chicago, IL vs Madison, WI: Cost of Living

Compare the cost of living between Chicago, IL and Madison, WI. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.

Source-verified · June 2026BEA Regional Price Parities by MSA, 2022 (Table 4); HUD FY2024 Fair Market Rents (2-BR) Official source ↗

Chicago, IL

Overall RPP (US=100): 105.7
Housing RPP: 110.9
Goods RPP: 106.7
2-BR median rent: $1,714/mo

Illinois flat income tax 4.95%. Chicago city tax adds ~2.25% effective burden.

Madison, WI

Overall RPP (US=100): 95.3
Housing RPP: 99
Goods RPP: 91.7
2-BR median rent: $1,372/mo

Wisconsin income tax 3.54%-7.65%.

Equivalent salary

Madison, WI is cheaper than Chicago, IL by about 9.8% (RPP 105.7 to 95.3).

$60,000 in Chicago, IL

-> $54,096

in Madison, WI

$100,000 in Chicago, IL

-> $90,161

in Madison, WI

$150,000 in Chicago, IL

-> $135,241

in Madison, WI

This tool provides estimates only. Equivalent-salary figures are derived from BLS Regional Price Parities (RPP) and HUD Fair Market Rents — they are averages, not guarantees. Actual cost of living varies by neighborhood, lifestyle, and individual circumstances. Not financial advice.

Migration signal: Chicago, IL vs Madison, WI

IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022

Chicago, IL

Net people: −73,936
Net rank: #63 of 65
Top origin share: 1%
Top destination share: 2%

Largest source: Los Angeles County, CA. Largest destination: Maricopa County, AZ.

Madison, WI

Net people: −1,925
Net rank: #34 of 65
Top origin share: 4%
Top destination share: 5%

Largest source: Rock County, WI. Largest destination: Rock County, WI.

Rent delta: Madison, WI is $342/mo lower for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than Chicago, IL. Housing RPP moves from 110.9 to 99.

Migration figures are derived from IRS SOI county-to-county migration data for 2021-2022, mapped to metros via Census CBSA delineation. Small county-to-county flows are IRS-suppressed, so per-metro totals are lower bounds. Source: IRS SOI migration data.

Frequently asked questions

Is Madison, WI cheaper or more expensive than Chicago, IL?: Madison, WI (RPP 95.3) is cheaper than Chicago, IL (RPP 105.7) by about 9.8%.
What salary do I need in Madison, WI if I earn $100,000 in Chicago, IL?: You would need approximately $90,161 in Madison, WI to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago, IL. Formula: $100,000 x (95.3 / 105.7).
Which metro had stronger net migration, Chicago, IL or Madison, WI?: For 2021-2022, Chicago, IL had a net loss of 73,936 people, while Madison, WI had a net loss of 1,925 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

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