Cost of living in Madison, Wisconsin, United States vs San Francisco, California, United States
Currency:
| Food | - 33% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Madison, Wisconsin (United States) is 33% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $15 | $18 | - 17% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 | $9 | - 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.06 | $5.20 | - 22% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.81 | $1.16 | - 30% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $1.89 | $5.18 | - 64% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $3.96 | $4.92 | - 20% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 | $12 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.19 | $4.15 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.46 | $2.18 | - 33% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.22 | $5.54 | - 60% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $13 | $18 | - 30% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.76 | $2.51 | - 30% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.05 | $3.82 | - 46% | |
| Housing | - 52% | |||
| Housing in Madison, Wisconsin (United States) is 52% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $1,695 | $3,960 | - 57% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,247 | $3,733 | - 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $105 | $128 | - 18% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,216 | $2,873 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $769 | $2,430 | - 68% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $70 | $101 | - 31% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $49 | $48 | + 0% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $275 | $518 | - 47% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $105 | $139 | - 24% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $8 | $11 | - 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $26 | $42 | - 39% | |
| Clothes | - 31% | |||
| Clothes in Madison, Wisconsin (United States) is 31% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $46 | $62 | - 26% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $32 | $46 | - 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $76 | $105 | - 27% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $97 | $171 | - 43% | |
| Transportation | - 22% | |||
| Transportation in Madison, Wisconsin (United States) is 22% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $21,438 | $23,115 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.51 | $0.95 | - 46% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $64 | $92 | - 31% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $30 | $19 | + 61% | |
| Personal Care | - 14% | |||
| Personal Care in Madison, Wisconsin (United States) is 14% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 | $9 | - 22% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $11 | $12 | - 4% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $165 | $132 | + 25% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $5.46 | $7 | - 23% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $2.81 | $4.80 | - 41% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.00 | $8 | - 40% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $2.82 | $4.63 | - 39% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.56 | $2.49 | - 37% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $26 | $32 | - 21% | |
| Entertainment | - 37% | |||
| Entertainment in Madison, Wisconsin (United States) is 37% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $40 | $61 | - 34% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $23 | $31 | - 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $194 | $263 | - 26% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $90 | $109 | - 17% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $9 | $15 | - 37% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.67 | $5.19 | - 10% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $4.67 | $8 | - 44% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $428 | $405 | + 6% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.14 | $0.35 | - 61% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $43 | $111 | - 62% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 | $11 | - 31% | |
| TOTAL | - 38% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 804 prices entered by 123 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
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Cost of living in Madison, Wisconsin (United States) is 38% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $12,000 in San Francisco, California you would need to make just about $7,391 in Madison, Wisconsin.
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