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

Tampa

Florida
113
VS

Madison

Wisconsin
103

Tampa is 10% more expensive than Madison.

$1,567/mo ↑ 15%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 13%
$71,302/yr ↓ 7%
Median Income
$76,983/yr ↑ 8%
$375,300 ↑ 8%
Home Value
$346,900 ↓ 8%
$1,553/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,476/mo ↓ 5%
393,389
Population
275,568

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tampa, FL and Madison, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 103 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $203/month cheaper in Madison, saving renters about $2,436/year.

Median household income is $5,681/year higher in Madison. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tampa is $375,300 compared to $346,900 in Madison.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tampa vs Madison — common questions

Is Tampa or Madison cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Madison is cheaper to live in with an index of 103 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tampa and Madison?
Median rent in Tampa is $1,567/month and in Madison it's $1,364/month — a difference of $203/month.
Which city has higher income, Tampa or Madison?
Median household income is $71,302 in Tampa and $76,983 in Madison. Median household income is $5,681/year higher in Madison.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Wisconsin?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax.
Should I move to Tampa or Madison?
It depends on your priorities. Tampa has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,567/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.
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