Cost of living in Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Summary of cost of living in Madison, Wisconsin

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: $4,695
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: $2,562
    • WARNING!  These estimates are currently based on just a small amount of data. They provide a decent starting assumption, but they are not yet completely reliable.

List of prices in Madison, Wisconsin
Current as of May 2025.

Change the currency:
Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district $18
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) $11
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast $6
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk $1.10
12 eggs, large $4.05
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes $4.25
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese $7
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples $3.79
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes $1.80
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket $2.41
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality $17
2 liters of coca-cola $2.67
Bread for 2 people for 1 day $2.09
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
We need your help! Tell us about prices in Madison.
Page-elements
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area $2,073
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area $1,547
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat $219
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area $1,522
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area $967
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio $131
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) $53
40” flat screen tv $245
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) $140
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) $11
Hourly rate for cleaning help $24
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) $60
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) $40
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) $86
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes $127
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new $23,380
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas $0.88
Monthly ticket public transport $60
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) $26
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
We need your help! Tell us about prices in Madison.
Page-elements
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) $7
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) $13
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) $132
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) $7
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) $3.66
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) $10
4 rolls of toilet paper $4.05
Tube of toothpaste $1.91
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city $25
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub $50
2 tickets to the movies $27
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) $255
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert $89
1 cocktail drink in downtown club $9
Cappuccino in expat area of the city $7
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) $5.32
Ipad wi-fi 128gb $413
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) $0.20
1 month of gym membership in business district $48
1 package of marlboro cigarettes $10
These prices are lacking data. It provides a decent estimate, but they are not yet reliable. They are based on 151 prices entered by 10 different people.
Latest price update: May 18, 2025

Did you know that ...

Do you live in Madison, Wisconsin? We need your help!

What is the price of

Gasoline

in Madison, Wisconsin?

$

International Cost of Living Index

loading...

Prices recently added

  • 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Sarajevo costs 7KM (about 1 hour ago)
  • Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Houston, Texas costs $20 (about 1 hour ago)
  • 24 tablets box of cold medicine (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) in Birmingham costs £1.00 (about 3 hours ago)
  • 12 doses box of antibiotics in London costs £10 (about 3 hours ago)
  • Short visit to private doctor in Montevideo costs $U1,200 (about 5 hours ago)
  • 1 liter of whole fat milk in Eldoret costs Shilling50 (about 5 hours ago)

Make a different comparison:

Compare cost of living between cities:
vs