CostIndexUSA

Garland, TX vs Madison, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Garland
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
More AffordableWI
Madison
97.3
overall index
$1,625/mo rent

Madison is moderately cheaper than Garland — 5.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Garland, you would need $75,500 in Madison. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing15.4%
Garland
117.9
Madison
99.7
🛒 Groceries8.8%
Garland
102.8
Madison
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Garland
104.7
Madison
104.4
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Garland
94.7
Madison
94.4
Utilities1.0%
Garland
90.7
Madison
89.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Garland to see what you'd need to earn in Madison to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Madison, WI
$75,500
$4,500 less needed in Madison

Formula: salary × (97.3 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 0.9437. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Garland, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Madison, WI

Median Home Price
$429,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
99.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.0×

Garland has 15.4% lower housing costs compared to Madison.

Income & Job Market

Garland, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
246,018
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTechnologyRetailLogistics

Madison, WI

Median Household Income
$82,100
Per Capita Income
$46,800
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
269,186
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentTechnologyFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Garland, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Madison, WI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.