Columbus, MN vs Madison, MN

The cost of living difference between Columbus, MN and Madison, MN is dramatic. Madison is 69.9% cheaper than Columbus, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Columbus has a cost index of 119 while Madison sits at 70, 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 Columbus is $1,534/month compared to $920/month in Madison — a 67% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $104,600 median vs $439,200.

Median household income in Columbus is $117,917 compared to $56,435 in Madison (+108.9%). While Columbus is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Columbus spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, less than the 19.6% in Madison.