Madison, AL vs Oxford, AL

The cost of living difference between Madison, AL and Oxford, AL is dramatic. Oxford is 48.7% cheaper than Madison, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Madison has a cost index of 105 while Oxford sits at 70, 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 Madison is $1,375/month compared to $882/month in Oxford — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oxford is more affordable at $164,700 median vs $367,900.

Median household income in Madison is $131,436 compared to $70,065 in Oxford (+87.6%). While Madison is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Madison spend roughly 12.6% of their income on rent, less than the 15.1% in Oxford.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (62.9°F vs 63.1°F). Madison receives more rainfall at 54.3" per year compared to 52.1" in Oxford.