Brookhaven, MS vs Madison, MS

The cost of living difference between Brookhaven, MS and Madison, MS is dramatic. Brookhaven is 44.5% cheaper than Madison, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookhaven has a cost index of 63 while Madison sits at 113, 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 Brookhaven is $736/month compared to $1,798/month in Madison — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Brookhaven is more affordable at $111,500 median vs $334,700.

Median household income in Brookhaven is $36,269 compared to $120,918 in Madison (-70%). While Madison is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookhaven spend roughly 24.4% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Madison.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.2°F vs 66°F). Brookhaven receives more rainfall at 60.6" per year compared to 51.3" in Madison.