Fredericksburg, VA vs Madison Heights, VA

The cost of living difference between Fredericksburg, VA and Madison Heights, VA is dramatic. Madison Heights is 70.8% cheaper than Fredericksburg, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fredericksburg has a cost index of 122 while Madison Heights sits at 72, 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 Fredericksburg is $1,521/month compared to $826/month in Madison Heights — a 84% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison Heights is more affordable at $181,300 median vs $461,500.

Median household income in Fredericksburg is $85,368 compared to $62,727 in Madison Heights (+36.1%). The higher salaries in Fredericksburg partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Fredericksburg spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, more than the 15.8% in Madison Heights.