Madison, MN vs Wayzata, MN

The cost of living difference between Madison, MN and Wayzata, MN is dramatic. Madison is 58.3% cheaper than Wayzata, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Madison has a cost index of 70 while Wayzata sits at 168, 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 $1,507/month in Wayzata — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $104,600 median vs $1,047,400.

Median household income in Madison is $56,435 compared to $125,344 in Wayzata (-55%). The higher salaries in Wayzata 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, more than the 14.4% in Wayzata.

Climate-wise, Wayzata is notably warmer with an average of 46.7°F compared to 43°F in Madison. Wayzata receives more rainfall at 30.6" per year compared to 22.7" in Madison.