Indianola, MS vs Madison, MS

The cost of living difference between Indianola, MS and Madison, MS is dramatic. Indianola is 43.2% cheaper than Madison, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Indianola has a cost index of 64 while Madison sits at 113, 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 Indianola is $763/month compared to $1,798/month in Madison — a 58% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Indianola is more affordable at $119,100 median vs $334,700.

Median household income in Indianola is $39,275 compared to $120,918 in Madison (-67.5%). While Madison is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Indianola spend roughly 23.3% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Madison.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64°F vs 66°F). Madison receives more rainfall at 51.3" per year compared to 49" in Indianola.