Long Grove, IL vs Madison, IL

The cost of living difference between Long Grove, IL and Madison, IL is dramatic. Madison is 198.6% cheaper than Long Grove, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Long Grove has a cost index of 203 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 Long Grove is $3,501/month compared to $1,010/month in Madison — a 247% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $51,200 median vs $746,700.

Median household income in Long Grove is $235,368 compared to $44,181 in Madison (+432.7%). While Long Grove is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Long Grove spend roughly 17.8% 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 50.8°F in Long Grove. Madison receives more rainfall at 40.8" per year compared to 32.3" in Long Grove.