Madison, Wisconsin
In Madison, Wisconsin, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.75 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.31 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,659, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Madison's cost-of-living index of 100 puts it below the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$3.75
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$1,659
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$12.88
Combo meal
Electricity
18.2¢
per kWh · ~$164/mo
Car Insurance
$132/mo
$1,580/yr
Median Household Income
$88,108
30.3% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $1,580 in Madison. Compare rates:
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Some prices above are regional estimates. Submit a receipt from a local store to help us show what Madison residents actually pay.
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Find Apartments
Avg rent $1,659/mo in Madison. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
Butter (lb)
$5.45 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$7.89 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$6.83 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$2.03 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$5.21 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$12.03 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$5.28 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$4.62 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$5.20 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$2.77 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.43 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$7.42 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$4.95 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$6.19 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$8.51 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.24 | $5.45 | +28.5% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $6.37 | $7.89 | +23.9% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.63 | $6.83 | +21.3% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.54 | $2.03 | +31.8% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.07 | $5.21 | +28.0% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $8.50 | $12.03 | +41.5% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $3.69 | $5.28 | +43.1% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.08 | $4.62 | +13.2% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.54 | $5.20 | +14.5% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.16 | $2.77 | +28.2% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.87 | $2.43 | +29.9% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.45 | $7.42 | +36.1% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.12 | $4.95 | +20.1% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.70 | $6.19 | +31.7% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $5.95 | $8.51 | +43.0% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$12.88
Casual Dining
$21.85
Monthly Spend
$358.54
+4.6% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $7.99
$12.88
+61.2%Wendy's
2022: $9.02
$13.91
+54.2%Chipotle
2022: $9.66
$14.43
+49.4%Starbucks
2022: $4.19
$5.82
+38.9%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Madison?
Average 1BR: $1,360/mo · 2BR: $1,958/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
359k
Median Weekly Pay
$1,432
$74k/yr
Top Sector
Trade, Transportation & Utilities
Household vs Worker Pay
$88k
household median
Employment by Sector — Madison
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$54k/yr
~$71k/yr
~$90k/yr
~$24k/yr
~$78k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 55025
Highest Paying Sector
Information
$2,732/wk · $142k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$468/wk · $24k/yr
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