Median rent is 43% lower in Madison ($1,413/mo vs $2,476/mo). Buying is cheaper in Madison, where the median home runs $372,900 versus $1,394,500. Households earn more in San Francisco ($140,970 vs $78,050 a year).
City A
Madison, WI
City B
San Francisco, CA
How much would you need to earn in San Francisco, CA to maintain your standard of living from Madison, WI?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Madison
Wisconsin
San Francisco
California
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Madison — median rent of $1,413/mo versus $2,476/mo in San Francisco, a 43% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in San Francisco: the median home is $1,394,500 versus $372,900 in Madison — 73% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Madison
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
San Francisco
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Madison (avg AQI 27.0) but not yet for San Francisco.
Pick San Francisco if you prioritize higher median household income ($140,970/yr).
Pick Madison if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,413/mo median).
Is Madison cheaper than San Francisco?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Madison vs San Francisco?
Median rent is $1,413/mo in Madison, WI and $2,476/mo in San Francisco, CA. Madison, WI has the lower rent by about 43%.
Which has higher salaries — Madison or San Francisco?
Median household income is $78,050 in Madison, WI and $140,970 in San Francisco, CA. San Francisco, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Madison or San Francisco?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match my Madison income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
