CostIndexUSA

Madison, WI vs Wenatchee, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWI
Madison
97.3
overall index
$1,625/mo rent
WA
Wenatchee
103.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Madison is moderately cheaper than Wenatchee — 6.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Madison, you would need $85,400 in Wenatchee. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+15.3%
Madison
99.7
Wenatchee
115
🛒 Groceries+11.9%
Madison
93.8
Wenatchee
105
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Madison
104.4
Wenatchee
104.4
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Madison
94.4
Wenatchee
94.5
Utilities+12.0%
Madison
89.8
Wenatchee
100.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wenatchee, WA
$85,400
$5,400 more needed in Wenatchee

Formula: salary × (103.9 ÷ 97.3) = salary × 1.0678. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Madison, WI

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

Wenatchee, WA

Median Home Price
$503,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
115
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.3×

Wenatchee has 15.3% higher housing costs compared to Madison.

Income & Job Market

Madison, WI

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

Wenatchee, WA

Median Household Income
$73,600
Per Capita Income
$42,000
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
33,621
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareTourismManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

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

Madison, WI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Wenatchee, WA
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.