Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
7% cheaper
Mesa is 7% more affordable than Madison. A $75,000 salary in Madison is equivalent to $70,047 in Mesa.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Wisconsin salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Madison has a housing index of 115 while Mesa sits at 98 (national average = 100). The median home in Madison costs $340,000 compared to $350,000 in Mesa, a difference of $10,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Madison versus $1,350 in Mesa.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Madison scores 101 while Mesa scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Madison (105) are higher than Mesa (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Madison is $67,565 compared to $60,234 in Mesa. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Mesa.
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