Madison vs Chicago: Cost Comparison
Thinking about moving or hiring services? Madison is approximately 17% less expensive than Chicago across most service categories. Below is a detailed side-by-side comparison of 274+ services.
Madison, WI
0.98x
Cost Index
17% Difference
Madison is more affordable
Chicago, IL
1.15x
Cost Index
🏠 Home Services
| Service | Madison | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof Replacement | $8,330 | $9,775 | -$1,445 |
| Roof Repair | $735 | $862 | -$127 |
| HVAC System Installation | $8,820 | $10,350 | -$1,530 |
| Plumbing Repair | $304 | $357 | -$53 |
| Water Heater Installation | $1,764 | $2,070 | -$306 |
| Electrical Panel Upgrade | $2,450 | $2,875 | -$425 |
| Interior House Painting | $2,744 | $3,220 | -$476 |
| Exterior House Painting | $4,410 | $5,175 | -$765 |
🏥 Medical & Dental
| Service | Madison | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Implant | $3,430 | $4,025 | -$595 |
| Dental Crown | $1,274 | $1,495 | -$221 |
| Root Canal | $980 | $1,150 | -$170 |
| Braces & Orthodontics | $4,900 | $5,750 | -$850 |
| Teeth Whitening | $392 | $460 | -$68 |
| LASIK Eye Surgery | $2,450 | $2,875 | -$425 |
| Knee Replacement Surgery | $34,300 | $40,250 | -$5,950 |
| MRI Scan | $1,176 | $1,380 | -$204 |
⚖️ Legal Services
| Service | Madison | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce | $7,350 | $8,625 | -$1,275 |
| DUI Lawyer | $3,920 | $4,600 | -$680 |
| Criminal Defense Lawyer | $7,840 | $9,200 | -$1,360 |
| Will & Trust | $1,470 | $1,725 | -$255 |
| Bankruptcy Filing | $2,450 | $2,875 | -$425 |
| Family Lawyer | $294 | $345 | -$51 |
| Prenuptial Agreement | $2,450 | $2,875 | -$425 |
| Traffic Ticket Lawyer | $245 | $288 | -$43 |
🚗 Auto Repair
| Service | Madison | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission Repair/Rebuild | $2,940 | $3,450 | -$510 |
| Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement | $343 | $402 | -$59 |
| Tire Replacement | $172 | $201 | -$29 |
| Oil Change | $59 | $69 | -$10 |
| Car Paint Job | $1,960 | $2,300 | -$340 |
| Auto Body Repair | $1,960 | $2,300 | -$340 |
| Windshield Replacement | $343 | $402 | -$59 |
| Timing Belt Replacement | $588 | $690 | -$102 |
🔨 Home Improvement
| Service | Madison | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Remodel | $27,440 | $32,200 | -$4,760 |
| Bathroom Remodel | $11,760 | $13,800 | -$2,040 |
| Deck Building | $7,840 | $9,200 | -$1,360 |
| Concrete Patio | $2,940 | $3,450 | -$510 |
| Hardwood Floor Installation | $10 | $12 | -$2 |
| Professional Landscaping | $6,860 | $8,050 | -$1,190 |
| Basement Finishing | $29,400 | $34,500 | -$5,100 |
| Garage Door Replacement | $1,764 | $2,070 | -$306 |
🛡️ Insurance
| Service | Madison | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Insurance | $441 | $518 | -$77 |
| Auto Insurance | $176 | $207 | -$31 |
| Homeowners Insurance | $176 | $207 | -$31 |
| Life Insurance | $49 | $57 | -$8 |
| Renters Insurance | $18 | $21 | -$3 |
| Dental Insurance | $34 | $40 | -$6 |
| Umbrella Insurance | $25 | $29 | -$4 |
| Disability Insurance | $123 | $144 | -$21 |
🐾 Pet Services
| Service | Madison | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog Grooming | $59 | $69 | -$10 |
| Veterinary Visit | $147 | $173 | -$26 |
| Pet Insurance | $49 | $57 | -$8 |
| Dog Boarding / Pet Sitting | $44 | $52 | -$8 |
| Dog Training | $74 | $86 | -$12 |
| Dog Dental Cleaning | $392 | $460 | -$68 |
| Cat Veterinary Care | $123 | $144 | -$21 |
| Cat Grooming | $64 | $75 | -$11 |
💒 Wedding Costs
| Service | Madison | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wedding Venue | $7,350 | $8,625 | -$1,275 |
| Wedding Photography | $2,744 | $3,220 | -$476 |
| Wedding Catering | $74 | $86 | -$12 |
| Wedding Flowers | $2,450 | $2,875 | -$425 |
| Wedding DJ | $1,176 | $1,380 | -$204 |
| Wedding Cake | $588 | $690 | -$102 |
| Wedding Dress | $1,764 | $2,070 | -$306 |
| Wedding Band / Live Music | $3,920 | $4,600 | -$680 |
📦 Moving & Relocation
| Service | Madison | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Move | $1,176 | $1,380 | -$204 |
| Long-Distance Move | $4,410 | $5,175 | -$765 |
| Storage Unit Rental | $123 | $144 | -$21 |
| Junk Removal | $294 | $345 | -$51 |
| Professional Packing Services | $686 | $805 | -$119 |
| International Move | $7,350 | $8,625 | -$1,275 |
| Moving Container (PODS) | $2,450 | $2,875 | -$425 |
| Storage Unit Rental | $127 | $150 | -$23 |
🎓 Education & Certification
| Service | Madison | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Tutoring | $49 | $57 | -$8 |
| SAT/ACT Test Prep | $980 | $1,150 | -$170 |
| College Tuition | $21,560 | $25,300 | -$3,740 |
| Driving School / Drivers Ed | $392 | $460 | -$68 |
| MBA Degree | $63,700 | $74,750 | -$11,050 |
| Real Estate License | $980 | $1,150 | -$170 |
| Gym Membership | $39 | $46 | -$7 |
| Personal Trainer | $69 | $81 | -$12 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madison more expensive than Chicago?
Chicago is generally more expensive, with a cost index of 1.15 compared to 0.98 (1.0 = national average).
How much cheaper is Madison?
Madison is approximately 17% less expensive than Chicago for most services.
What services cost the most in Madison vs Chicago?
The biggest cost differences are in home services like kitchen remodels, roof replacements, and HVAC installation, where the price gap can be thousands of dollars between cities.
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