CostIndexUSA

Madison, WI vs Midland, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WI
Madison
97.3
overall index
$1,625/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Midland
95.8
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Midland is slightly cheaper than Madison — 1.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Madison, you would need $78,800 in Midland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+1.8%
Madison
99.7
Midland
101.5
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Madison
93.8
Midland
93.8
🚗 Transportation3.2%
Madison
104.4
Midland
101.1
🏥 Healthcare3.2%
Madison
94.4
Midland
91.4
Utilities7.3%
Madison
89.8
Midland
83.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Madison to see what you'd need to earn in Midland to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Midland, TX
$78,800
$1,200 less needed in Midland

Formula: salary × (95.8 ÷ 97.3) = salary × 0.9846. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Madison, WI

Median Home Price
$429,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
99.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.0×

Midland, TX

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
101.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.9×

Midland has 1.8% higher housing costs compared to Madison.

Income & Job Market

Madison, WI

Median Household Income
$82,100
Per Capita Income
$46,800
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
269,186
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentTechnologyFinance

Midland, TX

Median Household Income
$92,900
Per Capita Income
$53,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
132,950
Top Industries
EnergyOil & GasHealthcareManufacturingFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Madison, WI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Midland, TX
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.