2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Madison, WI vs Portage, WI

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Portage or is it cheaper to live in Madison?
- Portage is 9.2% less expensive than Madison.

Which city has more affordable housing, Portage or Madison?
- Portage housing costs are 42.1% less expensive than Madison housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Madison or is Health Care more affordable in Portage.
- Health related expenses are 10.8% more in Portage.
 Madison, WIPortage, WIUnited States
 Overall  Unlock93.9100
 Food & Groceries97.9  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock102.9100
 Housing112.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$212,100$338,100
 Utilities108  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock92.7100
 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 Portage    1 Reviews

Hello, We are considering re-locating to Portage from Milwaukee. We were up there last month for the biannual church service at the German Methodist church, and LOVED  More

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