Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Madison, WI (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Madison

Wisconsin
103

Irvine is 149% more expensive than Madison.

$2,893/mo ↑ 112%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 53%
$129,647/yr ↑ 68%
Median Income
$76,983/yr ↓ 41%
$1,115,400 ↑ 222%
Home Value
$346,900 ↓ 69%
$2,904/mo ↑ 97%
Owner Costs
$1,476/mo ↓ 49%
308,160
Population
275,568

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
7.65%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.61%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Madison, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 103 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,529/month cheaper in Madison, saving renters about $18,348/year.

Median household income is $52,664/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $346,900 in Madison.

Wisconsin has a lower income tax rate, making Madison slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Madison — common questions

Is Irvine or Madison cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Madison is cheaper to live in with an index of 103 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Madison?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Madison it's $1,364/month — a difference of $1,529/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Madison?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $76,983 in Madison. Median household income is $52,664/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Wisconsin?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Madison?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Madison has a cost index of 103 with rent of $1,364/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Madison details →

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