Gardiner, ME vs Madison, ME

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Madison is 17.5% cheaper than Gardiner. With a cost index of 68 vs 80, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Madison to Gardiner should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Gardiner is $927/month compared to $880/month in Madison — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $70,800 median vs $198,100.

Median household income in Gardiner is $58,152 compared to $43,095 in Madison (+34.9%). While Gardiner is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gardiner spend roughly 19.1% of their income on rent, less than the 24.5% in Madison.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.1°F vs 46.1°F). Madison receives more rainfall at 41.8" per year compared to 41.8" in Gardiner.