Madison, IL vs Oak Brook, IL

The cost of living difference between Madison, IL and Oak Brook, IL is dramatic. Madison is 65.2% cheaper than Oak Brook, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Madison has a cost index of 68 while Oak Brook sits at 196, 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 $1,010/month compared to $2,921/month in Oak Brook — a 65% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $51,200 median vs $867,900.

Median household income in Madison is $44,181 compared to $171,123 in Oak Brook (-74.2%). While Oak Brook 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 27.4% of their income on rent, more than the 20.5% in Oak Brook.

Climate-wise, Madison is notably warmer with an average of 56.5°F compared to 52.1°F in Oak Brook. Madison receives more rainfall at 40.8" per year compared to 34.4" in Oak Brook.