Madison, IL vs Oakland, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Oakland is 19.4% cheaper than Madison. With a cost index of 57 vs 68, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Oakland to Madison should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Madison is $1,010/month compared to $509/month in Oakland — a 98% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Oakland has cheaper rent, Madison actually has lower median home values ($51,200 vs $97,200).

Median household income in Madison is $44,181 compared to $49,571 in Oakland (-10.9%). Oakland offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Madison spend roughly 27.4% of their income on rent, more than the 12.3% in Oakland.

Climate-wise, Madison is notably warmer with an average of 56.5°F compared to 53.4°F in Oakland. Madison receives more rainfall at 40.8" per year compared to 36" in Oakland.