Moving from Anaheim to Madison (2026)

Madison has a COL index of 97 vs 148 for Anaheim (100 = US average). You'd pay about 34% less for the same lifestyle.

Save ~$850/mo
on rent + taxes ยท $75K salary baseline

Change cities

Key differences

COL index
148 โ†’ 97
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$2,400 โ†’ $1,650
per month
State tax
9.3% โ†’ 7.7%
income tax
COL difference
148 โ†’ 97
34% cheaper

Salary needed in Madison to match your Anaheim lifestyle

Based on the 34% cost of living decrease between the two cities.

Your salary in AnaheimEquivalent in Madison
$40K$26,216
$50K$32,770
$60K$39,324
$75K$49,155
$80K$52,432
$100K$65,541
$120K$78,649
$150K$98,311

๐Ÿ’ต Household income (before tax)

$75K
$
$30K$300K
Save ~$805/moon core expenses at $75K

Monthly budget at $75K โ€” Anaheim vs Madison

ExpenseAnaheimMadison
Monthly take-home$4,159$4,259
1BR rent$2,400$1,650
Groceries$410$384
Transport$100$62
Utilities$148$162
Internet$68$63
Left after essentials$1,033$1,938

30-Year Wealth Builder

If you invest your monthly savings of $805 in a low-cost index fund (7% avg return), you'd accumulate an extra:

$982,077

over 30 years compared to staying in Anaheim โ€” that's the real price of a city.

$805/mo invested

Frequently asked questions

Is Madison cheaper than Anaheim?

Yes. Madison has a cost of living index of 97 vs 148 for Anaheim (100 = US average). That's about 34% cheaper.

How much will I save moving from Anaheim to Madison?

On a $75K salary, moving from Anaheim to Madison saves roughly $850/month on core expenses. That's ~$10,200/year.

What salary do I need in Madison to match my Anaheim lifestyle?

To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Anaheim, you'd need roughly $49,155/year in Madison. This is based on the overall COL index difference.

Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates. Zillow ยท BLS ยท Numbeo ยท For general guidance only