California
$183
Income shares · monthly
- Annual
- $2,196
- Dense rank
- #6
Compare different states
2026
2026California vs Wisconsin Child Support
Wisconsin estimates $567 more per month than California on $5,000 / $3,000 monthly gross · 2 children · Parent A 70% custody · Parent B pays.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Key finding
Wisconsin estimates higher monthly support
$567/mo more (~$6,804/yr).
Side-by-side child support scoreboard
Wisconsin
$750
Percentage of income · monthly
- Annual
- $9,000
- Dense rank
- #1
Key takeaways — California vs Wisconsin
- Wisconsin estimates about $567/mo more ($183 vs $750).
- California: Income shares. Wisconsin: Percentage of income.
- Dense ranks: California #6; Wisconsin #1 (#1 = highest monthly estimate).
- If either side uses income shares, remember this hub’s simplified shared schedule can cause ties that official worksheets would not.
- Personalize at /child-support-calculator.
Rule contrast (2026)
| Topic | California | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Guideline model | Income shares | Percentage of income |
| Vignette monthly | $183 | $750 |
| Vignette annual | $2,196 | $9,000 |
| Dense rank | #6 | #1 |
| Guideline citation | California Family Code §§ 4050–4076 (Income Shares) | Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 150.03 |
| Official resource | https://childsupport.ca.gov/guideline-calculator/ | https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cs/order/tools |
Paying-parent income ladder
| Parent B gross | CA monthly | WI monthly | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | $50 | $500 | $450 |
| $3,000 | $183 | $750 | $567 |
| $5,000 | $536 | $1,250 | $714 |
| $8,000 | $701.54 | $1,875 | $1,173.46 |
How to read California vs Wisconsin
California vs Wisconsin child support in 2026
This page compares guideline estimates for California (CA) and Wisconsin (WI) on $5,000 / $3,000 monthly gross · 2 children · Parent A 70% custody · Parent B pays, calculated from our engine.
Wisconsin is higher by about $567/mo; annual gap about $6,804.
California uses an income-shares guideline model (NCSL). This hub’s engine uses a simplified shared income-shares schedule — many income-shares states therefore tie on the locked vignette. California uses income shares model. Estimates typically vary by ±10-15% due to court discretion and case-specific circumstances.
Wisconsin uses a percentage-of-income guideline model (NCSL). Our engine applies state-specific percentage math on this vignette. Wisconsin uses a flat percentage of the noncustodial parent's gross monthly income: 17% (1 child), 25% (2), 29% (3), 31% (4), 34% (5+). For income over $7,000/month a modified formula applies. Shared placement (each parent ≥25% of overnights/year) uses a separate calculation with both incomes.
Guideline model contrast
California citation: California Family Code §§ 4050–4076 (Income Shares). Wisconsin citation: Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 150.03.
Profiles: /child-support-by-state/california and /child-support-by-state/wisconsin.
Not legal advice — court worksheets and agency calculators control.
How the gap can change with income
The ladder below recomputes monthly estimates as Parent B’s gross monthly income changes (Parent A income and custody stay at vignette defaults).
Percentage-of-income states often scale more steeply with obligor income than the simplified income-shares schedule.
Limits of this comparison
No invented per-state income-shares table numbers. Melson/hybrid accuracy notes still apply where relevant.
Health insurance, childcare add-ons, and multi-family credits are omitted on the ranking vignette.
Who this comparison helps
Useful if…
- •Parents weighing California vs Wisconsin orientation numbers
- •Editors illustrating percentage-of-income vs income-shares gaps
- •Users deciding which state calculator to open next
Use official tools if…
- •Treating a hub tie as identical official guidelines
- •Litigation strategy without counsel
- •Interstate jurisdiction questions beyond this vignette
Comparison checklist
- 1Confirm models: Income shares vs Percentage of income.
- 2Read accuracy notes on both state profiles.
- 3Run custom incomes at /child-support-calculator.
- 4Cross-check each state’s official calculator.
What the monthly gap means
Guideline models and engine paths differ by state. This is an educational estimate, not a court order.
Limits of this comparison
We do not invent per-state income-shares table numbers. Melson/hybrid notes, add-ons, and deviations may change real outcomes. Use each state’s official calculator.
California vs Wisconsin child support FAQs
Wisconsin is higher by about $567/mo ($183 vs $750) on $5,000 / $3,000 monthly gross · 2 children · Parent A 70% custody · Parent B pays.
California: Income shares (California Family Code §§ 4050–4076 (Income Shares)). Wisconsin: Percentage of income (Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 150.03).
No. This educational engine shares one simplified income-shares schedule across those states. Official tables, worksheets, and deviations differ — confirm with each state’s calculator.
Not necessarily. Recompute with the income ladder on this page or the child support calculator — percentage-of-income and income-shares paths scale differently.
Start with Wisconsin if you care about the higher vignette estimate, then compare California and both official calculators.
No. Educational engine output only. Courts apply official guidelines and evidence.
Compare another pair
Compare any two states
Guideline estimates on $5,000 / $3,000 monthly gross · 2 children · Parent A 70% custody · Parent B pays.
Related child support comparisons
Related tools
Child support calculatorModel any incomes, custody, and stateChildcare cost by stateCenter-based infant and preschool costsChild tax credit calculatorFederal CTC / ACTC estimatesUS paycheck calculatorFederal, state, and FICA take-homeDTI calculatorDebt-to-income with support paymentsState tax compareSide-by-side state income tax