Cost of Living: Mesa, AZ vs Madison, WI (2026)

Mesa

Arizona
107
VS

Madison

Wisconsin
103

Mesa is 4% more expensive than Madison.

$1,478/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 8%
$78,779/yr ↑ 2%
Median Income
$76,983/yr ↓ 2%
$364,300 ↑ 5%
Home Value
$346,900 ↓ 5%
$1,404/mo ↓ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,476/mo ↑ 5%
507,478
Population
275,568

Tax Comparison

2.5%
Income Tax
7.65%
5.6%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.62%
Property Tax
1.61%

Affordability

22.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Mesa, AZ and Madison, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 107 and 103 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $114/month cheaper in Madison, saving renters about $1,368/year.

Median household income is $1,796/year higher in Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Mesa is $364,300 compared to $346,900 in Madison.

Arizona has a lower income tax rate, making Mesa slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mesa vs Madison — common questions

Is Mesa or Madison cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Madison is cheaper to live in with an index of 103 compared to 107 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Mesa and Madison?
Median rent in Mesa is $1,478/month and in Madison it's $1,364/month — a difference of $114/month.
Which city has higher income, Mesa or Madison?
Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa and $76,983 in Madison. Median household income is $1,796/year higher in Mesa.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and Wisconsin?
Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax.
Should I move to Mesa or Madison?
It depends on your priorities. Mesa has a cost index of 107 with median rent of $1,478/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 Mesa details → View Madison details →

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