Belfast, ME vs Madison, ME

The cost of living difference between Belfast, ME and Madison, ME is dramatic. Madison is 33.4% cheaper than Belfast, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Belfast has a cost index of 91 while Madison sits at 68, 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 Belfast is $986/month compared to $880/month in Madison — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $70,800 median vs $307,700.

Median household income in Belfast is $61,322 compared to $43,095 in Madison (+42.3%). While Belfast is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Belfast spend roughly 19.3% of their income on rent, less than the 24.5% in Madison.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45°F vs 46.1°F). Madison receives more rainfall at 41.8" per year compared to 41.7" in Belfast.