Gem Lake, MN vs Madison, MN

The cost of living difference between Gem Lake, MN and Madison, MN is dramatic. Madison is 90.6% cheaper than Gem Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gem Lake has a cost index of 134 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 Gem Lake is $1,750/month compared to $920/month in Madison — a 90% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $104,600 median vs $536,600.

Median household income in Gem Lake is $146,250 compared to $56,435 in Madison (+159.1%). While Gem Lake is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gem Lake spend roughly 14.4% of their income on rent, less than the 19.6% in Madison.

Climate-wise, Gem Lake is notably warmer with an average of 46.5°F compared to 43°F in Madison. Gem Lake receives more rainfall at 29.2" per year compared to 22.7" in Madison.