Madelia, MN vs Stewartville, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Madelia is 18.6% cheaper than Stewartville. With a cost index of 68 vs 83, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Madelia to Stewartville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Madelia is $795/month compared to $975/month in Stewartville — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madelia is more affordable at $158,300 median vs $258,000.

Median household income in Madelia is $77,500 compared to $65,714 in Stewartville (+17.9%). 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 17.8% in Stewartville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (44.6°F vs 44.8°F). Stewartville receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 29.3" in Madelia.