Madelia, MN vs Watkins, MN

Madelia, MN and Watkins, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Madelia scores 68 while Watkins scores 66 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 $760/month in Watkins — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Watkins is more affordable at $136,800 median vs $158,300.

Median household income in Madelia is $77,500 compared to $50,875 in Watkins (+52.3%). While Madelia is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Madelia spend roughly 12.3% of their income on rent, less than the 17.9% in Watkins.

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 Watkins.