Madison, MN vs Taconite, MN

The cost of living difference between Madison, MN and Taconite, MN is dramatic. Madison is 46.8% cheaper than Taconite, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Madison has a cost index of 70 while Taconite sits at 132, 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 $920/month compared to $2,646/month in Taconite — a 65% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $104,600 median vs $217,900.

Median household income in Madison is $56,435 compared to $100,089 in Taconite (-43.6%). The higher salaries in Taconite partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Madison spend roughly 19.6% of their income on rent, less than the 31.7% in Taconite. The Madison ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Madison is notably warmer with an average of 43°F compared to 36.9°F in Taconite. Taconite receives more rainfall at 24.8" per year compared to 22.7" in Madison.