Cost of Living: Madison, WI vs Provo, UT (2026)

Madison

Wisconsin
103
VS

Provo

Utah
102

Madison and Provo have a similar cost of living.

$1,364/mo ↑ 18%
Median Rent
$1,152/mo ↓ 16%
$76,983/yr ↑ 23%
Median Income
$62,800/yr ↓ 18%
$346,900 ↓ 21%
Home Value
$437,100 ↑ 26%
$1,476/mo ↑ 21%
Owner Costs
$1,220/mo ↓ 17%
275,568
Population
114,303

Tax Comparison

7.65%
Income Tax
4.65%
5.0%
State Sales Tax
6.1%
1.61%
Property Tax
0.58%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Madison, WI and Provo, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 103 and 102 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $212/month cheaper in Provo, saving renters about $2,544/year.

Median household income is $14,183/year higher in Madison. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Madison is $346,900 compared to $437,100 in Provo.

Utah has a lower income tax rate, making Provo slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Madison vs Provo — common questions

Is Madison or Provo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Provo is cheaper to live in with an index of 102 compared to 103 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Madison and Provo?
Median rent in Madison is $1,364/month and in Provo it's $1,152/month — a difference of $212/month.
Which city has higher income, Madison or Provo?
Median household income is $76,983 in Madison and $62,800 in Provo. Median household income is $14,183/year higher in Madison.
How do taxes compare between Wisconsin and Utah?
Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax. Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax.
Should I move to Madison or Provo?
It depends on your priorities. Madison has a cost index of 103 with median rent of $1,364/mo, while Provo has a cost index of 102 with rent of $1,152/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Madison details → View Provo details →

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