Calabasas, CA vs Madera, CA

The cost of living difference between Calabasas, CA and Madera, CA is dramatic. Madera is 148.8% cheaper than Calabasas, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Calabasas has a cost index of 252 while Madera sits at 101, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Calabasas is $3,070/month compared to $1,237/month in Madera — a 148% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madera is more affordable at $335,900 median vs $1,453,900.

Median household income in Calabasas is $157,938 compared to $63,619 in Madera (+148.3%). The higher salaries in Calabasas partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Calabasas spend roughly 23.3% of their income on rent, less than the 23.3% in Madera.