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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Madison

Wisconsin
103

San Jose is 147% more expensive than Madison.

$2,617/mo ↑ 92%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 48%
$141,565/yr ↑ 84%
Median Income
$76,983/yr ↓ 46%
$1,187,800 ↑ 242%
Home Value
$346,900 ↓ 71%
$2,775/mo ↑ 88%
Owner Costs
$1,476/mo ↓ 47%
990,054
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

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Madison, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 103 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,253/month cheaper in Madison, saving renters about $15,036/year.

Median household income is $64,582/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $346,900 in Madison.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Madison — common questions

Is San Jose or Madison cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Madison is cheaper to live in with an index of 103 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Madison?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Madison it's $1,364/month — a difference of $1,253/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Madison?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $76,983 in Madison. Median household income is $64,582/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose or Madison?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Madison details →

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