Columbus, MS vs Madison, MS

The cost of living difference between Columbus, MS and Madison, MS is dramatic. Columbus is 39.9% cheaper than Madison, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Columbus has a cost index of 68 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 Columbus is $882/month compared to $1,798/month in Madison — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Columbus is more affordable at $121,200 median vs $334,700.

Median household income in Columbus is $40,588 compared to $120,918 in Madison (-66.4%). 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 Columbus spend roughly 26.1% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Madison.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64°F vs 66°F). Columbus receives more rainfall at 60" per year compared to 51.3" in Madison.