Fairhope, AL vs Madison, AL

Madison is moderately more affordable than Fairhope, with a 10.7% lower cost of living index. Fairhope scores 116 compared to 105 for Madison, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fairhope can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairhope is $1,637/month compared to $1,375/month in Madison — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $367,900 median vs $406,500.

Median household income in Fairhope is $86,509 compared to $131,436 in Madison (-34.2%). 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 Fairhope spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, more than the 12.6% in Madison.

Climate-wise, Fairhope is notably warmer with an average of 66°F compared to 62.9°F in Madison. Fairhope receives more rainfall at 65.8" per year compared to 54.3" in Madison.