Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Madison to Los Angeles
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Madison has a lower median gross rent ($1,413) and home value ($372,900) than Los Angeles ($1,933 rent, $921,200 value), but also a slightly lower median household income ($78,050 vs $81,939). Madison’s shorter commute (21 minutes vs 33 minutes) offsets some housing cost advantages, while Los Angeles applies a modeled 9.30% state income tax in calculations, affecting net affordability despite higher earnings.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → MadisonMoving from Madison to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
+$520/mo
Moving to Los Angeles costs ~$6,240 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+12 min / day
Difference of ~100 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTMAD → LAX
37/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$4,272after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Madison is about $6,240 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Madison household income$78,050
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Madison gross rent$1,413
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Madison | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 278,001 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $78,050 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $1,413 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $372,900 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 21 minutes in Madison and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median gross rent and home value
- Median household income level
- Average one-way commute time
- Modeled state income tax impact
What each city wins
Madison
Median rent is 21.7% of median income.. Watch higher home values may reflect long-term equity potential despite monthly costs..
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Madison and Los Angeles?
Madison’s median gross rent is $1,413 and median home value is $372,900, while Los Angeles reports $1,933 in rent and $921,200 in home value, making housing significantly more expensive in Los Angeles according to 2024 ACS data.
Does Los Angeles’ higher income offset its housing costs?
Although Los Angeles has a higher median household income ($81,939 vs $78,050), its much higher housing costs and modeled 9.30% state income tax reduce net affordability, requiring careful trade-off evaluation beyond income alone.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.