Reno vs Madison: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Reno, NV and Madison, WI, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Reno, NV | Madison, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 265,196 | 268,516 |
| Median household income | $73,073 | $74,895 |
| Median home value | $462,100 | $326,600 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,360 | $1,291 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Reno, NV and Madison, WI comes down to what you value most. Madison has the lower median home value, and Madison has the lower median rent.
Madison has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Reno or Madison?
- By median home value, Madison is the cheaper of the two ($326,600 vs $462,100). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Reno or Madison?
- Median household income is $73,073 in Reno versus $74,895 in Madison, per the US Census Bureau.