2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Madison, WI vs Fort Dodge, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Fort Dodge or is it cheaper to live in Madison?
- Fort Dodge is 30.8% less expensive than Madison.

Which city has more affordable housing, Fort Dodge or Madison?
- Fort Dodge housing costs are 73.1% less expensive than Madison housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Madison or is Health Care more affordable in Fort Dodge.
- Health related expenses are 33.3% more in Fort Dodge.
 Madison, WIFort Dodge, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock71.6100
 Food & Groceries97.9  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock123.8100
 Housing112.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$113,300$338,100
 Utilities108  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock58.8100
 Miscellaneous133.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Madison    78 Reviews

Unfortunately, a number of these reviews are politically based. Madison remains the only shining star in Wisconsin’s economy. The economy is broadly based, with  More

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Have been living in Madison for almost 3 years. It’s very safe, ppl generally friendly and for a town of its size it has fair number of good restaurants and interesting  More

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Lacks balance and zero accountability.   More

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Reviews for Fort Dodge    4 Reviews

Corrupt politicians always scheming to funnel public money to wealthy private interests, creating a welfare dependent economy that will be imploding sooner than later,  More

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Over 10 years ago

Before moving to the Fort Dodge area please consider other options. The city is a decaying town, streets have definitely seen better days and are filthy. There are not  More

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Over 15 years ago

I see that everyone is rather hard on Fort Dodge. I grew up and lived there until I married and (like a failed pioneer) moved east to Gettysburg, Pa. It was the best  More

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