Hampshire, IL vs Madison, IL

The cost of living difference between Hampshire, IL and Madison, IL is dramatic. Madison is 95.8% cheaper than Hampshire, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hampshire has a cost index of 133 while Madison sits at 68, 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 Hampshire is $2,356/month compared to $1,010/month in Madison — a 133% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $51,200 median vs $316,200.

Median household income in Hampshire is $107,774 compared to $44,181 in Madison (+143.9%). While Hampshire is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hampshire spend roughly 26.2% of their income on rent, less than the 27.4% in Madison.

Climate-wise, Madison is notably warmer with an average of 56.5°F compared to 49.7°F in Hampshire. Madison receives more rainfall at 40.8" per year compared to 33.2" in Hampshire.