CostIndexUSA

Fontana, CA vs Madison, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fontana
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent
More AffordableWI
Madison
97.3
overall index
$1,625/mo rent

Madison is moderately cheaper than Fontana — 8.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fontana, you would need $73,200 in Madison. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing22.9%
Fontana
129.3
Madison
99.7
🛒 Groceries7.5%
Fontana
101.4
Madison
93.8
🚗 Transportation1.8%
Fontana
106.3
Madison
104.4
🏥 Healthcare1.9%
Fontana
96.2
Madison
94.4
Utilities39.6%
Fontana
148.6
Madison
89.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fontana to see what you'd need to earn in Madison to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Madison, WI
$73,200
$6,800 less needed in Madison

Formula: salary × (97.3 ÷ 106.4) = salary × 0.9145. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fontana, CA

Median Home Price
$576,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Housing Index
129.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Madison, WI

Median Home Price
$429,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
99.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.0×

Fontana has 22.9% lower housing costs compared to Madison.

Income & Job Market

Fontana, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
214,547
Top Industries
ManufacturingLogisticsHealthcareRetailConstruction

Madison, WI

Median Household Income
$82,100
Per Capita Income
$46,800
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
269,186
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentTechnologyFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fontana, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% of income left after rent (median)

Madison, WI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.