Clearwater, KS vs Madison, KS

The cost of living difference between Clearwater, KS and Madison, KS is dramatic. Madison is 45.9% cheaper than Clearwater, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Clearwater has a cost index of 77 while Madison sits at 53, 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 Clearwater is $1,002/month compared to $590/month in Madison — a 70% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $48,600 median vs $191,500.

Median household income in Clearwater is $72,266 compared to $52,750 in Madison (+37%). The higher salaries in Clearwater partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Clearwater spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, more than the 13.4% in Madison.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (57.7°F vs 55.7°F). Madison receives more rainfall at 34.8" per year compared to 34.3" in Clearwater.