Cost of Living: Madison, WI vs Clearwater, FL (2026)

Madison

Wisconsin
103
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Madison and Clearwater have a similar cost of living.

$1,364/mo ↓ 11%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↑ 13%
$76,983/yr ↑ 19%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 16%
$346,900 ↑ 6%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 6%
$1,476/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 4%
275,568
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

7.65%
Income Tax
0%
5.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.61%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Madison, WI and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 103 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $175/month cheaper in Madison, saving renters about $2,100/year.

Median household income is $12,543/year higher in Madison. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Madison is $346,900 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Clearwater residents a significant tax advantage over Wisconsin's 7.65% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Madison vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Madison or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Madison is cheaper to live in with an index of 103 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Madison and Clearwater?
Median rent in Madison is $1,364/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $175/month.
Which city has higher income, Madison or Clearwater?
Median household income is $76,983 in Madison and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $12,543/year higher in Madison.
How do taxes compare between Wisconsin and Florida?
Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Madison or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Madison has a cost index of 103 with median rent of $1,364/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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