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Madison, IL vs Paris, IL

68
Madison
Illinois
VS
+9.2%
62
Paris
Illinois

Paris is moderately more affordable than Madison, with a 9.2% lower cost of living index. Madison scores 68 compared to 62 for Paris, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Madison can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Madison is $1,010/month compared to $755/month in Paris — a 34% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Paris has cheaper rent, Madison actually has lower median home values ($51,200 vs $71,200).

Median household income in Madison is $44,181 compared to $51,798 in Paris (-14.7%). Paris 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 17.5% in Paris.

Climate-wise, Madison is notably warmer with an average of 56.5°F compared to 53.5°F in Paris. Paris receives more rainfall at 40.8" per year compared to 40.8" in Madison.

Income & Cost

Cost of Living Index
Madison
68
Paris
62
8% cheaper
Median Household Income
Madison
$44,181
Paris
$51,798
15% higher

Housing

Median Rent
Madison
$1,010
Paris
$755
25% cheaper
Median Home Value
Madison
$51,200
28% cheaper
Paris
$71,200
Population
Madison
2,788
Paris
8,154

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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Everyday Prices

BLS Average Prices by metro area

Gasoline (regular)
Madison $3.03
Paris
US $3.07
🥚
Eggs (grade A, large)
Madison $2.47
Paris
US $2.50
🥛
Milk (whole)
Madison $3.97
Paris
US $4.03
🍞
Bread (white)
Madison $1.83
Paris
US $1.85
🍗
Chicken breast
Madison $4.09
Paris
US $4.14
Electricity
Madison $0.15
Paris
US $0.19

Climate

NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)

Avg Temp
Madison 56.5°F
Paris 53.5°F
Summer High
Madison 89°F
Paris 86°F
Winter Low
Madison 24°F
Paris 21°F
Rainfall
Madison 40.8"
Paris 40.8"
Rainy Days
Madison 117d
Paris 123d