Chula Vista vs Madison: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Chula Vista, CA and Madison, WI, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Madison, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,103 | 268,516 |
| Median household income | $101,984 | $74,895 |
| Median home value | $647,100 | $326,600 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,035 | $1,291 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Chula Vista, CA and Madison, WI comes down to what you value most. Madison has the lower median home value, and Madison has the lower median rent.
Chula Vista has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Chula Vista or Madison?
- By median home value, Madison is the cheaper of the two ($326,600 vs $647,100). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Chula Vista or Madison?
- Median household income is $101,984 in Chula Vista versus $74,895 in Madison, per the US Census Bureau.