Madison, MN vs Ranier, MN

Madison, MN and Ranier, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. Madison scores 70 while Ranier scores 68 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Madison is $920/month compared to $870/month in Ranier — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ranier has cheaper rent, Madison actually has lower median home values ($104,600 vs $140,400).

Median household income in Madison is $56,435 compared to $81,389 in Ranier (-30.7%). Ranier 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 19.6% of their income on rent, more than the 12.8% in Ranier.

Climate-wise, Madison is notably warmer with an average of 43°F compared to 37.4°F in Ranier. Ranier receives more rainfall at 25.4" per year compared to 22.7" in Madison.