Madison, IL vs Viola, IL

Viola is moderately more affordable than Madison, with a 10.5% lower cost of living index. Madison scores 68 compared to 62 for Viola, 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 $692/month in Viola — a 46% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Viola has cheaper rent, Madison actually has lower median home values ($51,200 vs $114,500).

Median household income in Madison is $44,181 compared to $67,500 in Viola (-34.5%). Viola 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 Viola.

Climate-wise, Madison is notably warmer with an average of 56.5°F compared to 51.2°F in Viola. Madison receives more rainfall at 40.8" per year compared to 38.3" in Viola.