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Last updated: Feb 2026

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MadisonvsSeattle

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Madison to Seattle will cost approximately $79,848 more on median home prices (17.7% higher). Monthly rent is $333 more expensive in Seattle. Median income is 0.4% higher in Seattle, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
17.7% more
Rent
17.7% more
View MadisonView Seattle
Seattle

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Madison, WI

Median Home Price$451,073
Monthly Rent$1,879
Median Income$74,496
Population248,956
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Destination

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$530,921+17.7%
Monthly Rent
$2,212+17.7%
Median Income
$74,820+0.4%
Population684,443
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Madison

2015$1,201
2020$1,367
2025$1,879

Seattle

2015$1,625
2020$1,724
2025$2,212

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Seattle.

Madison

Housing$7,591
Food$5,753
Transport$13,123
Healthcare$10,569
Total$47,254

Seattle

Housing$10,040
Food$6,538
Transport$13,805
Healthcare$8,679
Total$51,246
Costs

Key Insights

17.7%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Seattle
$333
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
0.4%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Madison

Population248,956
Median Age30.7 yrs
Violent Crime Rate325 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1538 per 100k

Seattle

Population684,443
Median Age35.5 yrs
Violent Crime Rate336 per 100k
Property Crime Rate3036 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Madison

325
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1538
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Seattle

336
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
3036
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Seattle or Madison?

Madison is 17.7% cheaper for housing than Seattle. The median home price in Madison is $451,073 compared to $530,921 in Seattle.

What is the rent difference between Madison and Seattle?

Monthly rent in Seattle averages $2,212, while Madison averages $1,879. That's a difference of $333 per month, or $3,992 annually.

How do incomes compare between Madison and Seattle?

The median household income in Seattle is $74,820, which is 0.4% higher than Madison's median of $74,496.

Which city is safer: Madison or Seattle?

Madison has a violent crime rate of 325 per 100k residents, while Seattle has 336 per 100k. Madison is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.

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