Madison, MS vs Meridian, MS

The cost of living difference between Madison, MS and Meridian, MS is dramatic. Meridian is 71.8% cheaper than Madison, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Madison has a cost index of 113 while Meridian sits at 66, 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 $1,798/month compared to $865/month in Meridian — a 108% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Meridian is more affordable at $100,800 median vs $334,700.

Median household income in Madison is $120,918 compared to $34,657 in Meridian (+248.9%). While Madison is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Madison spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, less than the 30% in Meridian.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66°F vs 65.9°F). Meridian receives more rainfall at 57" per year compared to 51.3" in Madison.