Hillside, IL vs Madison, IL

The cost of living difference between Hillside, IL and Madison, IL is dramatic. Madison is 37.2% cheaper than Hillside, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hillside has a cost index of 93 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 Hillside is $1,265/month compared to $1,010/month in Madison — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $51,200 median vs $233,800.

Median household income in Hillside is $70,772 compared to $44,181 in Madison (+60.2%). While Hillside is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hillside spend roughly 21.4% 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 51.3°F in Hillside. Madison receives more rainfall at 40.8" per year compared to 37.9" in Hillside.