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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Madison

Wisconsin
103

San Francisco is 159% more expensive than Madison.

$2,419/mo ↑ 77%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 44%
$141,446/yr ↑ 84%
Median Income
$76,983/yr ↓ 46%
$1,380,500 ↑ 298%
Home Value
$346,900 ↓ 75%
$2,620/mo ↑ 78%
Owner Costs
$1,476/mo ↓ 44%
836,321
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

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Madison, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 103 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,055/month cheaper in Madison, saving renters about $12,660/year.

Median household income is $64,463/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $346,900 in Madison.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Madison — common questions

Is San Francisco or Madison cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Madison is cheaper to live in with an index of 103 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Madison?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Madison it's $1,364/month — a difference of $1,055/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Madison?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $76,983 in Madison. Median household income is $64,463/year higher in San Francisco.
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 San Francisco or Madison?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Madison details →

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