Laurel, MS vs Madison, MS

The cost of living difference between Laurel, MS and Madison, MS is dramatic. Laurel is 41.8% cheaper than Madison, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Laurel has a cost index of 66 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 Laurel is $839/month compared to $1,798/month in Madison — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Laurel is more affordable at $110,200 median vs $334,700.

Median household income in Laurel is $37,781 compared to $120,918 in Madison (-68.8%). 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 Laurel spend roughly 26.6% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Madison.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.5°F vs 66°F). Laurel receives more rainfall at 58.9" per year compared to 51.3" in Madison.