Hills, MN vs Madelia, MN

Madelia is moderately more affordable than Hills, with a 11.9% lower cost of living index. Hills scores 76 compared to 68 for Madelia, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hills can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hills is $962/month compared to $795/month in Madelia — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madelia is more affordable at $158,300 median vs $184,800.

Median household income in Hills is $67,393 compared to $77,500 in Madelia (-13%). Madelia offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hills spend roughly 17.1% of their income on rent, more than the 12.3% in Madelia.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.4°F vs 44.6°F). Madelia receives more rainfall at 29.3" per year compared to 27.8" in Hills.