Madelia, MN vs St. Joseph, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Madelia is 20.7% cheaper than St. Joseph. With a cost index of 68 vs 86, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Madelia to St. Joseph should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Madelia is $795/month compared to $1,139/month in St. Joseph — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madelia is more affordable at $158,300 median vs $240,300.

Median household income in Madelia is $77,500 compared to $75,217 in St. Joseph (+3%). 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 Madelia spend roughly 12.3% of their income on rent, less than the 18.2% in St. Joseph.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (44.6°F vs 42.9°F). Madelia receives more rainfall at 29.3" per year compared to 28.5" in St. Joseph.