Cost of Living: Madison, WI vs Savannah, GA (2026)

Madison

Wisconsin
103
VS

Savannah

Georgia
84

Madison is 23% more expensive than Savannah.

$1,364/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$1,302/mo ↓ 5%
$76,983/yr ↑ 36%
Median Income
$56,782/yr ↓ 26%
$346,900 ↑ 54%
Home Value
$225,200 ↓ 35%
$1,476/mo ↑ 17%
Owner Costs
$1,257/mo ↓ 15%
275,568
Population
147,546

Tax Comparison

7.65%
Income Tax
5.49%
5.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.61%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Madison, WI and Savannah, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 103 and 84 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $62/month cheaper in Savannah, saving renters about $744/year.

Median household income is $20,201/year higher in Madison. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Madison is $346,900 compared to $225,200 in Savannah.

Georgia has a lower income tax rate, making Savannah slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Madison vs Savannah — common questions

Is Madison or Savannah cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Savannah is cheaper to live in with an index of 84 compared to 103 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Madison and Savannah?
Median rent in Madison is $1,364/month and in Savannah it's $1,302/month — a difference of $62/month.
Which city has higher income, Madison or Savannah?
Median household income is $76,983 in Madison and $56,782 in Savannah. Median household income is $20,201/year higher in Madison.
How do taxes compare between Wisconsin and Georgia?
Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Madison or Savannah?
It depends on your priorities. Madison has a cost index of 103 with median rent of $1,364/mo, while Savannah has a cost index of 84 with rent of $1,302/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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