Chadron, NE vs Madison, NE

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Madison is 15% cheaper than Chadron. With a cost index of 66 vs 76, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Madison to Chadron should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chadron is $1,044/month compared to $818/month in Madison — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $116,000 median vs $153,300.

Median household income in Chadron is $54,026 compared to $56,932 in Madison (-5.1%). Madison offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chadron spend roughly 23.2% of their income on rent, more than the 17.2% in Madison.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 49.2°F). Madison receives more rainfall at 27" per year compared to 15.2" in Chadron.