Cost of Living: Las Vegas, NV vs Madison, WI (2026)

Las Vegas

Nevada
111
VS

Madison

Wisconsin
103

Las Vegas is 8% more expensive than Madison.

$1,456/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 6%
$70,723/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$76,983/yr ↑ 9%
$395,300 ↑ 14%
Home Value
$346,900 ↓ 12%
$1,452/mo ↓ 2%
Owner Costs
$1,476/mo ↑ 2%
650,873
Population
275,568

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
7.65%
6.85%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.53%
Property Tax
1.61%

Affordability

24.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Las Vegas, NV and Madison, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 111 and 103 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $92/month cheaper in Madison, saving renters about $1,104/year.

Median household income is $6,260/year higher in Madison. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Las Vegas is $395,300 compared to $346,900 in Madison.

Nevada has no state income tax, giving Las Vegas residents a significant tax advantage over Wisconsin's 7.65% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Las Vegas vs Madison — common questions

Is Las Vegas or Madison cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Madison is cheaper to live in with an index of 103 compared to 111 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Las Vegas and Madison?
Median rent in Las Vegas is $1,456/month and in Madison it's $1,364/month — a difference of $92/month.
Which city has higher income, Las Vegas or Madison?
Median household income is $70,723 in Las Vegas and $76,983 in Madison. Median household income is $6,260/year higher in Madison.
How do taxes compare between Nevada and Wisconsin?
Nevada has 0% income tax, 6.85% sales tax, and 0.53% property tax. Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax.
Should I move to Las Vegas or Madison?
It depends on your priorities. Las Vegas has a cost index of 111 with median rent of $1,456/mo, while Madison has a cost index of 103 with rent of $1,364/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Las Vegas details → View Madison details →

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