Madelia, MN vs Walker, MN

Madelia, MN and Walker, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. Madelia scores 68 while Walker scores 69 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Madelia is $795/month compared to $519/month in Walker — a 53% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Walker has cheaper rent, Madelia actually has lower median home values ($158,300 vs $240,200).

Median household income in Madelia is $77,500 compared to $35,847 in Walker (+116.2%). 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 17.4% in Walker.

Climate-wise, Madelia is notably warmer with an average of 44.6°F compared to 40.4°F in Walker. Madelia receives more rainfall at 29.3" per year compared to 23.9" in Walker.