CostIndexUSA

Madison, WI vs Prescott, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWI
Madison
97.3
overall index
$1,625/mo rent
AZ
Prescott
98.3
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Madison is slightly cheaper than Prescott — 1.0% lower overall cost of living.

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

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing0.9%
Madison
99.7
Prescott
98.8
🛒 Groceries+2.6%
Madison
93.8
Prescott
96.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Madison
104.4
Prescott
104.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Madison
94.4
Prescott
94.8
Utilities+1.9%
Madison
89.8
Prescott
91.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Prescott, AZ
$80,800
$800 more needed in Prescott

Formula: salary × (98.3 ÷ 97.3) = salary × 1.0103. 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×

Prescott, AZ

Median Home Price
$405,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
98.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.9×

Madison has 0.9% lower housing costs compared to Prescott.

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

Prescott, AZ

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
45,827
Top Industries
HealthcareTourismRetailGovernmentReal Estate

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)

Prescott, AZ
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.