$40K in San Jose = $20,529 in Madison
Your $40K salary in San Jose (COL 189) has the same purchasing power as $20,529 in Madison (COL 97). Madison is cheaper — your money goes 49% further there.
Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities
What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | San Jose $40K | Madison $40K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,418 | $2,472 |
| 1BR rent | $3,000 | $1,650 |
| Groceries | $437 | $384 |
| Transport | $100 | $62 |
| Utilities | $150 | $162 |
| Internet | $70 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | -$1,339/month | $151/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $40K in San Jose equivalent to in Madison?
$40K in San Jose (COL index 189) has the same purchasing power as $20,529 in Madison (COL index 97). That's 49% less than your current salary.
If I move from San Jose to Madison keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $40K after moving to Madison, you'd have $1,490 more per month after core expenses — because Madison is cheaper than San Jose.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $40K × (97 ÷ 189) = $20,529. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — San Jose to Madison
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only